One sandwich short of a picnic
Definitions
- suggest someone is not very intelligent or mentally sound
To humorously imply that someone is not very bright or is a little bit crazy
Examples of One sandwich short of a picnic
Billy forgets to pack his lunch every single day. His co-workers jokingly say that Billy is "one sandwich short of a picnic."
This idiom means that Billy is forgetful to an extreme degree. The phrase "one sandwich short of a picnic" suggests that Billy is missing a crucial component that would make a picnic complete, just as he is missing a crucial component (a sandwich) that would make his lunch complete. In this way, the idiom illustrates how forgetful Billy is.
Emma, who is usually a go-getter, suddenly starts procrastinating and forgetting important deadlines. Her boss mutters, "Emma seems to be one sandwich short of a picnic lately."
The meaning of the idiom in this example is similar to the previous one. Emma's forgetfulness and procrastination are so extreme that it appears as though she's missing an essential component (in this case, the sandwich that would motivate and energize her). As in the previous example, this idiom serves to illustrate the extent of Emma's forgetfulness and lack of focus.
During a game of charades, Sarah has trouble acting out simple phrases like "jump rope" and "ride a bike." Her friends tease her, "Sarah, you're one sandwich short of a picnic tonight!"
This example is a bit more lighthearted, but the meaning remains the same. Sarah's forgetfulness and lack of focus are so extreme that it appears as though she's missing an essential component (in this case, the sandwich that would help her remember how to perform simple actions). Again, this idiom serves to highlight the extent of Sarah's forgetfulness.
Tom, who is usually very organized, suddenly starts misplacing his keys and losing his glasses. His wife exclaims, "Tom, what's going on? You're one sandwich short of a picnic!"
The significance of this example lies in the fact that Tom, who was once very organized and dependable, is now exhibiting such extreme forgetfulness that he appears to be missing a crucial component (the sandwich that would enable him to remember where he left his keys and glasses). This idiom serves to underscore the stark contrast between Tom's former dependability and his current forgetfulness.
Sarah forgot to pack her lunch today, leaving her with nothing but an empty stomach. Her coworkers jokingly teased her, saying she was "one sandwich short of a picnic."
This idiom describes a person who has forgotten to pack a necessary item, leaving them unprepared for a specific situation. In this case, Sarah forgot to bring her lunch, making her feel like she was missing a key component for a picnic (namely, sandwiches). In larger context, the phrase can be used to describe someone who seems to lack common sense or logic in a particular situation.
John forgot to pack his lunch again, and all he has in his bag is a crumpled-up napkin. We're starting to think he's one sandwich short of a picnic.
This idiom is used to describe someone who is forgetful or disorganized to the point that they seem almost senile. The phrase "one sandwich short of a picnic" implies that the person is missing a crucial component required for a common activity, in this case, bringing a sandwich to work or school for lunch. This expression highlights the fact that the person's forgetfulness is becoming a significant issue.
Conclusion
This idiom is used to playfully suggest that someone may not be very intelligent or mentally sound. It is often used in a lighthearted or humorous way to tease someone about their behavior or actions.Origin of "One sandwich short of a picnic"
The origin of the idiom "one sandwich short of a picnic" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the UK. The phrase uses the metaphor of a picnic, where everything should be in order and complete, including the necessary sandwiches for a meal. When someone is described as "one sandwich short of a picnic," it implies that they are not quite complete or fully functioning, similar to a picnic that is missing an essential component. The idiom is used in a light-hearted manner and is not meant to be taken too seriously. It has become a popular way to playfully tease someone about their intelligence or mental state.
Example: "I think John is one sandwich short of a picnic if he believes that story."