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Explaining “You must have rocks in your head”

Anwar Kareem 08/12/2024, 21:38
English.me team member

What does it mean?

You must have rocks in your head

The phrase "You must have rocks in your head" is an idiomatic expression used to suggest that someone is acting foolishly, lacking judgment, or not thinking clearly.

Tone

Informal and mildly insulting; conveys disbelief or frustration at someone's actions or decisions.

Origin

The exact origin is unclear, but it is thought to have emerged in the English-speaking world in the early 20th century as a metaphorical expression implying that one's head is filled with useless material (e.g., rocks) instead of rational thought.

Examples of usage

  • You want to swim in this freezing weather? You must have rocks in your head!
  • If he thinks he can pass the exam without studying, he has rocks in his head.
  • They must have rocks in their heads to ignore the evacuation warnings.