Ever find yourself struggling to describe something truly bizarre or out of the ordinary in everyday conversation? Basic words like “weird” often fall short.
This article unlocks a fascinating collection of Idioms for Weird, providing colorful, native-like expressions to articulate the peculiar. Elevate your vocabulary and confidently express the delightfully strange, making your descriptions far more engaging and memorable.
Best Idioms for Weird
1. Off the wall
Meaning: Very unusual, eccentric, or unconventional; crazy.
In a Sentence:
His ideas for the new marketing campaign are always a bit off the wall.
The comedian’s act was completely off the wall, but hilarious.
Other Ways to Say: Eccentric, Bizarre, Quirky, Unconventional
2. Out of left field
Meaning: Unexpected and unusual; surprising.
In a Sentence:
Her suggestion came completely out of left field during the meeting.
The decision to close the branch came out of left field for most employees.
Other Ways to Say: Unexpected, Surprising, Unforeseen, Unconventional
3. Nutty as a fruitcake
Meaning: Very eccentric or crazy (informal).
In a Sentence:
My old art teacher was as nutty as a fruitcake, but brilliant.
He comes up with ideas that are as nutty as a fruitcake.
Other Ways to Say: Crazy, Eccentric, Bizarre, Insane (informal)
4. Queer as a three-dollar bill
Meaning: Very strange or unusual; suspicious (older, less common, and can be offensive in modern usage).
In a Sentence:
His story about how he lost his wallet was as queer as a three-dollar bill.
(Consider alternatives due to potential outdated or offensive connotations).
Other Ways to Say: Strange, Peculiar, Unusual, Suspicious
5. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken course of action; making a wrong assumption.
In a Sentence:
If you think I’m the one who took your pen, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
The police were barking up the wrong tree for weeks before finding the real suspect.
Other Ways to Say: Mistaken, Wrong, Misguided, Off track
6. Bats in the belfry
Meaning: Crazy; eccentric (informal, somewhat old-fashioned).
In a Sentence:
My grandpa sometimes acts like he has bats in the belfry, but he’s harmless.
You’d have to have bats in the belfry to try that stunt.
Other Ways to Say: Crazy, Eccentric, Mad, Insane (informal)
7. Weird as a beard
Meaning: Very strange or unconventional (informal, relatively modern/slang).
In a Sentence:
That movie was as weird as a beard; I didn’t understand anything.
His taste in music is as weird as a beard.
Other Ways to Say: Strange, Peculiar, Odd, Bizarre
8. Out of the ordinary
Meaning: Unusual; not normal or typical.
In a Sentence:
Her quiet behavior was out of the ordinary, which worried her friends.
The police were called because there was something out of the ordinary happening.
Other Ways to Say: Unusual, Abnormal, Atypical, Exceptional
9. Off your rocker
Meaning: Crazy; insane (informal).
In a Sentence:
You must be off your rocker to quit a stable job without a plan.
He was talking to himself like he was completely off his rocker.
Other Ways to Say: Crazy, Insane, Mad, Unhinged
10. A few screws loose
Meaning: Slightly crazy or eccentric; not thinking clearly.
In a Sentence:
He’s got a few screws loose if he thinks that plan will work.
Anyone who tries to climb that mountain without proper gear has a few screws loose.
Other Ways to Say: Eccentric, Slightly crazy, Unsound mind, Unstable
11. As mad as a hatter
Meaning: Completely crazy or insane (allusion to Alice in Wonderland).
In a Sentence:
My neighbor collects garden gnomes and talks to them; he’s as mad as a hatter.
The old inventor’s ideas were as mad as a hatter, but some of them worked.
Other Ways to Say: Crazy, Insane, Demented, Eccentric
12. One sandwich short of a picnic
Meaning: Slightly stupid or crazy (informal, humorous).
In a Sentence:
He thinks he can fix a car with duct tape and hope; he’s one sandwich short of a picnic.
Anyone who believes that conspiracy theory is one sandwich short of a picnic.
Other Ways to Say: Silly, Foolish, Simple-minded, A bit crazy
13. Off the deep end
Meaning: To lose control; to become irrational or crazy; to go to an extreme.
In a Sentence:
He went off the deep end after losing all his money in the stock market.
She’s not just passionate, she’s gone completely off the deep end about her new hobby.
Other Ways to Say: Lose control, Become irrational, Go to extremes, Go crazy
14. A bit off kilter
Meaning: Slightly unbalanced, not quite right, or out of alignment.
In a Sentence:
The old washing machine is a bit off kilter, making strange noises.
After a sleepless night, I feel a bit off kilter today.
Other Ways to Say: Unbalanced, Uneven, Not quite right, Slightly askew
15. Like something from another planet
Meaning: Extremely strange, unusual, or alien.
In a Sentence:
His new art installation looks like something from another planet.
The flavors in that dish were like something from another planet, totally unique.
Other Ways to Say: Alien, Bizarre, Outlandish, Unearthly
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Crazy That Bring the Drama
16. Not playing with a full deck
Meaning: Lacking in intelligence or mental capacity; somewhat crazy (informal, often derogatory).
In a Sentence:
He made such a ridiculous suggestion; I think he’s not playing with a full deck.
Anyone who believes that politician is not playing with a full deck.
Other Ways to Say: Foolish, Unintelligent, Crazy, Mentally deficient
17. Out there
Meaning: Unconventional, avant-garde, or eccentric; sometimes bordering on strange.
In a Sentence:
Her fashion sense is a little out there, but she rocks it.
His ideas for the future are a bit out there, but intriguing.
Other Ways to Say: Avant-garde, Eccentric, Unconventional, Strange
18. Crazy as a loon
Meaning: Extremely crazy or foolish.
In a Sentence:
He’s running around in circles like he’s as crazy as a loon.
The old hermit lived alone and was said to be as crazy as a loon.
Other Ways to Say: Very crazy, Insane, Mad, Demented
19. Wacko as a jacko
Meaning: Extremely crazy or absurd (informal, slang).
In a Sentence:
His latest business scheme is as wacko as a jacko, it’ll never work.
That TV show is as wacko as a jacko, but I can’t stop watching.
Other Ways to Say: Crazy, Absurd, Nuts, Deranged
20. Odd duck
Meaning: An unusual or eccentric person.
In a Sentence:
He’s always been a bit of an odd duck, but he’s kind-hearted.
The new neighbor is a real odd duck; he wears a different crazy hat every day.
Other Ways to Say: Eccentric, Peculiar person, Quirky individual, Misfit
21. A loose cannon
Meaning: A person who is unpredictable and likely to cause damage or disruption.
In a Sentence:
Our new colleague is a bit of a loose cannon; you never know what he’ll do next.
The senator was considered a loose cannon, often making controversial statements.
Other Ways to Say: Unpredictable, Erratic, Unstable, Dangerous person
22. Strange bedfellows
Meaning: Two people or things that are unlikely to be associated or compatible but are found together.
In a Sentence:
The alliance between the two rival companies made for strange bedfellows.
Art and science often make strange bedfellows, but can lead to great innovation.
Other Ways to Say: Unlikely pair, Odd combination, Incompatible partners
23. Out of whack
Meaning: Out of order; not functioning properly; unbalanced.
In a Sentence:
My car’s alignment is completely out of whack.
My sleep schedule has been out of whack since I started working nights.
Other Ways to Say: Malfunctioning, Dysfunctional, Unbalanced, Disordered
24. As weird as a two-headed calf
Meaning: Extremely strange or unusual (emphasizing the bizarre or unnatural).
In a Sentence:
That experimental film was as weird as a two-headed calf; I couldn’t make sense of it.
His explanation of the incident was as weird as a two-headed calf.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely bizarre, Unnatural, Freakish, Highly unusual
25. Off the beaten track
Meaning: In a secluded or unusual place; not commonly visited or done.
In a Sentence:
We found a lovely little cafe off the beaten track during our trip.
She prefers to travel off the beaten track to experience local culture.
Other Ways to Say: Remote, Secluded, Unconventional, Unpopular route
26. A screwball
Meaning: A crazy, eccentric, or unconventional person.
In a Sentence:
My uncle is a real screwball; he’s always doing funny, odd things.
The movie features a lovable screwball as the main character.
Other Ways to Say: Eccentric, Oddball, Crazy person, Quirky individual
27. Bent out of shape
Meaning: Angry, upset, or annoyed.
In a Sentence:
Don’t get bent out of shape over such a small mistake.
He was really bent out of shape when his flight was cancelled.
Other Ways to Say: Upset, Annoyed, Angry, Agitated
28. Like a fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation.
In a Sentence:
I felt like a fish out of water at the formal gala; I’m used to casual events.
He was like a fish out of water trying to adapt to the new corporate culture.
Other Ways to Say: Uncomfortable, Out of place, Awkward, Alienated
29. Oddball
Meaning: A strange or eccentric person or thing. (Similar to ‘odd duck’).
In a Sentence:
She’s a bit of an oddball, but everyone loves her unique perspective.
That abstract sculpture is a real oddball, but fascinating.
Other Ways to Say: Eccentric, Peculiar, Quirky, Unusual
30. A wild card
Meaning: Someone or something whose behavior or outcome is unpredictable.
In a Sentence:
He’s a wild card in the team; you never know what brilliant or bizarre play he’ll make.
The new startup is a wild card in the industry, potentially disruptive.
Other Ways to Say: Unpredictable, Unforeseen factor, X-factor, Maverick
31. Freak of nature
Meaning: An abnormal or unusual person, animal, or thing; something highly unusual.
In a Sentence:
That athlete’s strength is a freak of nature; truly extraordinary.
The perfectly symmetrical snowflake was a freak of nature.
Other Ways to Say: Anomaly, Rarity, Abnormality, Exception
32. Not all there
Meaning: Slightly crazy or mentally deficient (informal, often derogatory).
In a Sentence:
He’s been acting a bit strangely lately, almost like he’s not all there.
(Use with caution as it can be offensive).
Other Ways to Say: A bit crazy, Mentally unsound, Unhinged, Demented
33. Out of your tree
Meaning: Crazy; insane (informal, similar to ‘off your rocker’).
In a Sentence:
You’re out of your tree if you think you can finish that in an hour!
He was talking to the plants, completely out of his tree.
Other Ways to Say: Crazy, Insane, Mad, Deranged
34. Zany as a zebra
Meaning: Extremely wacky, comical, or eccentric (informal, emphasizes playful absurdity).
In a Sentence:
The cartoon character was as zany as a zebra, always getting into ridiculous situations.
Her fashion choices are as zany as a zebra, full of bright colors and patterns.
Other Ways to Say: Wacky, Comical, Eccentric, Absurdly funny
35. Left of center
Meaning: Politically liberal or progressive; also, slightly unconventional or unusual.
In a Sentence:
Her political views are a little left of center compared to her conservative family.
His artistic style is definitely left of center, not mainstream.
Other Ways to Say: Liberal, Progressive, Unconventional, Non-mainstream
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Unique Standing Out From The Crowd
36. As nutty as a squirrel’s stash
Meaning: Extremely crazy or eccentric (informal, humorous, emphasizing hidden quirks).
In a Sentence:
His plans for retirement are as nutty as a squirrel’s stash, involving building a treehouse.
That inventor’s workshop is as nutty as a squirrel’s stash, full of strange contraptions.
Other Ways to Say: Very crazy, Eccentric, Wacky, Quirky
37. Off the grid
Meaning: Not connected to main utilities (electricity, water); living independently; disconnected from conventional society.
In a Sentence:
They decided to build a cabin in the mountains and live completely off the grid.
He went off the grid for a few months to clear his head.
Other Ways to Say: Self-sufficient, Isolated, Unconnected, Remote
38. A kooky cookie
Meaning: An eccentric or peculiar person (informal, endearing).
In a Sentence:
My aunt is a real kooky cookie, but always fun to be around.
The new professor is a bit of a kooky cookie, with unusual teaching methods.
Other Ways to Say: Eccentric, Quirky, Peculiar person, Oddball
39. Weird and wonderful
Meaning: Unusual and interesting or appealing in an unusual way.
In a Sentence:
The art festival featured a collection of weird and wonderful sculptures.
Her garden is full of weird and wonderful plants from all over the world.
Other Ways to Say: Unique, Peculiar and appealing, Unusual and interesting
40. Out in left field
Meaning: Very unusual, unexpected, or incorrect (repetition for emphasis, common variant).
In a Sentence:
His theory about aliens building the pyramids is really out in left field.
That comment came completely out of left field.
Other Ways to Say: Far-fetched, Unconventional, Incorrect, Strange
41. As strange as fiction
Meaning: So unusual or improbable that it seems like it could only happen in a story.
In a Sentence:
The real-life events of that scandal were as strange as fiction.
His life story is as strange as fiction, full of incredible twists.
Other Ways to Say: Unbelievable, Improbable, Extraordinary, Fictionalized
42. A bit screwy
Meaning: Slightly crazy or eccentric; not working correctly (informal).
In a Sentence:
That old machine is acting a bit screwy today.
He’s got a few ideas that are a bit screwy, but sometimes they work.
Other Ways to Say: Quirky, Slightly crazy, Malfunctioning, Eccentric
43. Like a square peg in a round hole
Meaning: A person who is in a situation that does not suit them, or who is unable to adapt to a situation.
In a Sentence:
He feels like a square peg in a round hole in his new corporate job.
Trying to fit that traditional design into a modern aesthetic is like a square peg in a round hole.
Other Ways to Say: Misfit, Unsuitable, Out of place, Ill-suited
44. Nutcase
Meaning: A crazy or foolish person (informal, derogatory).
In a Sentence:
You’d have to be a nutcase to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
Some people thought he was a nutcase for pursuing such an unconventional dream.
Other Ways to Say: Lunatic, Maniac, Crazy person, Fool
45. Off your trolley
Meaning: Crazy; mad (informal, British English).
In a Sentence:
He’s completely off his trolley if he thinks he can walk across the country.
Anyone who argues with the boss like that must be off their trolley.
Other Ways to Say: Crazy, Insane, Mad, Deranged
46. A quirky quark
Meaning: (Figurative, humorous) A peculiar or unusual small element or detail (playing on “quirky” and the subatomic particle “quark”).
In a Sentence:
The old house had many quirky quarks that gave it character.
Her personality has some quirky quarks that make her interesting.
Other Ways to Say: Peculiar detail, Unusual aspect, Odd feature
47. Strange as a stranger
Meaning: Very unfamiliar and peculiar.
In a Sentence:
The customs in that faraway land were as strange as a stranger to us.
His explanation for being late was as strange as a stranger; I barely believed it.
Other Ways to Say: Very peculiar, Unfamiliar, Bizarre, Odd
48. Bizarre as a bazaar
Meaning: Extremely strange, unusual, or chaotic.
In a Sentence:
The experimental theater performance was as bizarre as a bazaar.
The whole situation became as bizarre as a bazaar with conflicting stories.
Other Ways to Say: Very strange, Chaotic, Perplexing, Eccentric
49. Whacked out
Meaning: Exhausted; very tired; also, behaving in a strange or crazy way (informal).
In a Sentence:
After working 16 hours, I was completely whacked out.
He was talking to himself, looking a bit whacked out.
Other Ways to Say: Exhausted, Drained, Crazy, Deranged (behavior)
50. Like a cat on a hot tin roof
Meaning: In a state of extreme nervous tension or anxiety.
In a Sentence:
She was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for the exam results.
He was pacing back and forth, like a cat on a hot tin roof, before his job interview.
Other Ways to Say: Anxious, Nervous, Agitated, Restless
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Weird
- His explanation for why he was late was completely _________________________; nobody believed it.
- If you think you can finish this massive project by yourself in one day, you must be _________________________.
- The new intern has some pretty _________________________ ideas about how to improve efficiency, but some might actually work.
- After spending weeks alone in the wilderness, he started acting a little _________________________.
- She felt like _________________________ at the formal dinner party, as she was used to casual gatherings.
- The politician’s sudden change in stance on the issue came completely _________________________.
- Trying to force a creative person into a rigid corporate structure is often like putting _________________________.
- The old professor was a beloved _________________________, known for his quirky experiments and unusual lectures.
- He was pacing around the waiting room _________________________ before his job interview.
- The antique clock in the hallway has been a bit _________________________ ever since it fell off the wall.
Answer Key
- off the wall (or out of left field / as strange as fiction)
- off your rocker (or crazy as a loon / nutty as a fruitcake / not playing with a full deck / off your trolley / out of your tree / nutcase)
- out there (or a bit screwy / off the wall / quirky quarks)
- not all there (or a few screws loose / a bit screwy)
- a fish out of water
- out of left field (or out in left field)
- a square peg in a round hole
- odd duck (or oddball / screwball / kooky cookie)
- like a cat on a hot tin roof
- out of whack (or a bit off kilter / a bit screwy)
Conclusion
In short, don’t let life’s “weirdness” leave you at a loss for words! With these idioms for weird, you now have the tools to describe every oddity with finesse and color. Confidently apply them in your daily conversations, and you’ll find that talking about the “peculiar” becomes fascinating and engaging!
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
