English Expressions for "Crazy"

There are a lot of English expressions suggesting that somebody or something is "crazy." But please remember: while it may be perfectly polite to use such expressions regarding objects or situations, it can be rude and aggressive using them to describe people. A dictionary even warns: "The reference of the adjective "crazy" (and words derived from it) to mentally or psychologically ill people is strongly discriminatory." It also might get somebody very angry with you, so it's a better policy to be polite!

... a thin, pale, watery cup of tea that nobody in their right mind would want to drink.

Captions 15-16, Simon Jones: On Tea

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If somebody is described as "not being in their right mind," it suggests that they are not thinking clearly.

I can't imagine my life without the ocean. I would go absolutely nuts!

Caption 19, Naish Kiteboarding TV: Kai Riding Jaws

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'Cause they'll drive you good and nuts.

Caption 7, Ask Jimmy Carter: Interview with Robin Williams

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The phrase "to go nuts" means the same as "to go crazy." If something "is driving somebody nuts," it means that something is making them crazy. There is also an old-fashioned expression "to be nutty as a fruitcake," which also suggests "crazy."

Some say to survive it you need to be as mad as a hatter.

Caption 5, Filmtrailer: Alice in Wonderland

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The 19th century English children's book Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll had a character called the Mad Hatter, hence the phrase "mad as a hatter." In the old days, hatmakers were exposed to mercury, which would eventually damage their health and their minds. Note that in British English, "mad" means "crazy," whereas in US English, "mad" usually means "angry."

And I'm always off my trolley, so I never say sorry.

Caption 19, Robbie Williams: Party Like A Russian

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The expression that somebody is "off their trolley" is a particularly British expression meaning "crazy"—or as they would say, "mad." The equivalent American English expression is to say somebody is "off their rocker." The source of the latter phrase is uncertain, but it may refer to elderly people falling out of their rocking chairs due to senile dementia. Not very nice, is it?

Some further idioms and expressions that mean "crazy" include:

—to go (or be) bananas
—to be a basket case
—to not be playing with a full deck of cards
—to have the lights on, but nobody is home
—to lose one's marbles
—to have a screw loose
—to take leave of one's senses
—to have toys in the attic

Further Learning
Go to Yabla English and watch the above videos in their entirety to see the contexts in which the expressions were used.