What does it mean to have all your marbles?
to be completely sane and rational.
What does marbles mean in slang?
marbles, Slang. normal rational faculties; sanity; wits; common sense: to have all one’s marbles; to lose one’s marbles.
Why do people say losing your marbles?
When losing one’s marbles first became a phrase, it was often used in two ways. Sometimes it was used to mean one was angry. At other times, it was used to mean one was losing their mind. Both of these uses match up with the image of a young child losing a precious plaything.
Where did the phrase for all the marbles come from?
The idiom for all the marbles came into use in the latter-1800s and is derived from the childhood game of marbles. Children often played marble games that involved the victor keeping and owning captured marbles. In this type of marble game, a shot may be said to be for all the marbles.
What are examples of idioms?
The most common English idioms
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Beat around the bush | Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable |
| Better late than never | Better to arrive late than not to come at all |
| Bite the bullet | To get something over with because it is inevitable |
| Break a leg | Good luck |