lost your marbles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost your marbles" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used informally to suggest that someone is acting irrationally or has become confused or crazy. Example: "After hearing the news, I think he has truly lost his marbles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Try to tell them the BBC should get more money and they look at you as if you've lost your marbles.

The Guardian

His candidacy drew a sneering response from Japan's economy minister, Akira Amari, himself from samurai stock: "Tono, goranshin o"—"My lord, you've lost your marbles".Mr Koizumi's decision publicly to defy the two-time prime minister, Shinzo Abe, over nuclear power has an element of kabuki drama to it.

The Economist

Have you completely lost your marbles?" Asked on several occasions during the annual public address, whether Russia had sent troops into eastern Ukraine over the past few days, Putin said: "It's all nonsense, there are no special units, special forces or instructors there".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

You can begin to lose your marbles.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is losing your marbles, right?

The Guardian - Film

It's funny; you do sort of lose your marbles.

The Guardian - Film

I am pleased to report that this book, which aims to show us our place in the grand scheme of things, will not make you lose your marbles.

The Guardian

When stress hits, you can either lose your marbles or handle the overload with grace.

Huffington Post

However, if you consistently make this mistake, people (perhaps important people) may think you're losing your marbles.

WikiHow

Bradley, meanwhile, remains cast as baseball's primary miscreant because of his ballpark temper tantrums; a Sports Illustrated columnist breathed life into that image last month by devising a new Milton Bradley board game in which you "never play with a full deck!" and end up losing all your marbles.

The New York Times - Sports

And she was, of course, furious at Tony. "It's very hard dealing with someone who started out with the same bag of marbles as you and then some of your marbles are lost and some are cracked," she says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when using "lost your marbles", as it might be perceived as insensitive in formal or professional contexts, especially when discussing mental health issues. Opt for more neutral language if needed.

Common error

Don't use "lost your marbles" in a literal sense. It's an idiom, so using it to describe literally losing small, round, glass spheres would be confusing and humorous (in a confusing way).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost your marbles" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used to describe someone who is acting irrationally, foolishly, or has seemingly gone mad. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is acceptable in written English, although primarily informal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "lost your marbles" is a colorful way to describe someone acting irrationally or foolishly. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound and very common, primarily used in informal contexts like news articles and casual conversations. While effective for adding personality to your language, it's best to avoid in formal or professional settings where neutral language is preferred. Remember, it's an idiom, not a literal statement about missing spheres! Consider alternatives like "lost your mind" or "gone crazy" for similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost your mind

Directly implies a loss of mental faculties or rational thought.

out of your mind

Indicates a state of irrationality or delusion, suggesting the person is not thinking clearly.

gone crazy

Suggests someone is behaving in a wild or uncontrolled manner, often due to stress or excitement.

not in your right mind

Implies someone is not thinking rationally or making sound decisions.

gone mad

Indicates a state of insanity or extreme foolishness, similar to losing one's sanity.

round the bend

A British idiom indicating someone has become mentally unstable or irrational.

off your rocker

Suggests someone is eccentric, crazy or delusional.

gone bananas

A more playful way to say someone has become irrational or overly excited.

crackers

British slang, meaning insane or mad.

batty

A slightly old-fashioned term for being eccentric or slightly crazy.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone has "lost their marbles"?

Saying someone has "lost their marbles" means they are behaving irrationally, foolishly, or have gone a bit crazy. It's an informal idiom used to suggest a decline in someone's mental faculties or common sense.

Is "lost your marbles" a formal expression?

No, "lost your marbles" is not a formal expression. It's best suited for informal settings and conversations. In formal or professional contexts, it's better to use more neutral language to describe irrational behavior or confusion.

What are some alternative ways to say "lost your marbles"?

You can use alternatives like "lost your mind", "gone crazy", or "out of your mind" to convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "lost your marbles"?

It's inappropriate to use "lost your marbles" in formal settings, professional environments, or when discussing serious mental health concerns. The phrase can be dismissive or insensitive in such contexts.