If you are 'off your rocker' (a nickname for a rocking chair), it means whatever you're saying is completely wrong. It most likely originated with senior citizens, who often use rocking chairs.
Example:
-I may be completely off my rocker here, but I think your coworker has a crush on you.
-No, you're not off your rocker! I think so, too.
I love analyzing my native language, American English, and helping non-native speakers make sense of it. I've been doing this for fun with friends who speak English as a second language for nearly 30 years. I would like to first thank A.D., C.F. and E.A., and now P.G., for inspiring me to finally write this stuff down!
Showing posts with label off. Show all posts
Showing posts with label off. Show all posts
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Off your rocker
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Feeling out of sorts
If you're 'feeling out of sorts,' it means that you're not quite feeling like yourself. You feel a little off, and perhaps a little sad.
Example:
-How are you feeling today?
-Well, I'm a little out of sorts. I'm not sure what's bothering me.
Example:
-How are you feeling today?
-Well, I'm a little out of sorts. I'm not sure what's bothering me.
Monday, January 23, 2012
To go off on someone
'To go off on someone' means to tell someone how angry you are about something they did.
Example:
-So what did she say?
-She totally went off on me, saying how immature and irresponsible I am.
Example:
-So what did she say?
-She totally went off on me, saying how immature and irresponsible I am.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Off the top of my head
'Off the top of my head' is used to refer to the first thing a person can think of.
Examples:
-Do we need anything at the grocery?
-Not off the top of my head.
-What do you want for your birthday?
-I can't think of anything off the top of my head.
Examples:
-Do we need anything at the grocery?
-Not off the top of my head.
-What do you want for your birthday?
-I can't think of anything off the top of my head.
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