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Definition

To be crazy or eccentric.

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Origins

1899, from tendency of bats to fly around erratically, with “belfry” indicating “head, mind”.

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In Context

  • "Anyone declaring himself Emperor of San Francisco probably had bats in his belfry."
  • "You would certainly take the prize for bats in the belfry!--flying off on a wild-goose chase across a country where even the geese need a compass to keep to the course."
  • ""That's sane," he replied mechanically. "I figured all along there were no bats in your belfry.""
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Related Idioms

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have another think coming

To be deluded, to be mistaken; to need to rethink something one has de…

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have another thing coming

Alternative form of have another think coming.

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have at

To attack; to engage in combat with.

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have second thoughts

To change one's opinion, or be uneasy about a previous decision.

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have the blues

To be depressed; to have low morale; to feel sad.

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have a cow

To get angry; have a fit.
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