ENGLISH
REFERENCE

play with a full deck

idiom
Meaning

To behave in a manner suggesting that one is of normal intelligence, alert, and mentally stable.


Examples
SIMPLE

He says strange things, so I doubt he is playing with a full deck.

CONTEXTUAL

After hearing his bizarre plan to fix the broken engine with tape and glue, I began to wonder if he was playing with a full deck.

COMPLEX

The witness gave such a disjointed and irrational account of the evening that the detective privately questioned whether the man was playing with a full deck.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    child's play

    Something particularly easy or simple.

  2. 02

    come full circle

    To make a complete change or reform.

  3. 03

    few cards shy of a full deck

    Mentally deranged; demented; insane.

  4. 04

    full blast

    Maximum capacity or effort

  5. 05

    full butt

    headfirst with full force

  6. 06

    full circle

    Through a cycle of transition, returning to where one started after gaining experience or exploring other things.

  7. 07

    full marks

    Complete approval or agreement.

  8. 08

    full of beans

    Energetic and enthusiastic.

© 2026 English Reference