ENGLISH
REFERENCE

he's off his rocker

idiom
Meaning

He's crazy


Origin

disputed origin

Late 19th-century slang; usually explained by the image of someone falling off their rocking chair.

Examples
SIMPLE

He is off his rocker if he thinks he can win.

CONTEXTUAL

The neighbor says he wants to build a spaceship in his backyard, so everyone thinks he's off his rocker.

COMPLEX

The investors whispered that the CEO was off his rocker after he proposed selling their most profitable division to fund a project that had no clear market value.

Last updated June 7, 2026