English Reference
Idiom idiom

toys in the attic


Insanity or craziness.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He acts like he has toys in the attic.

CONTEXTUAL

When he started talking to his plants for hours, his neighbors wondered if he had toys in the attic.

COMPLEX

The eccentric inventor lived in total isolation, leading the local villagers to whisper that he clearly had toys in the attic.


Related idioms5entries
  1. 01

    Attic salt

    Pointed and delicate wit.

  2. 02

    boy toy

    A gigolo or younger man who is sexually pursued by an older person.

  3. 03

    boys and their toys

    Used to evoke the idea that adult men sometimes dote excessively on machines, automobiles, and gadgets in a childish manner.

  4. 04

    throw one's toys out of the pram

    To lose one's temper; to throw a tantrum.

  5. 05

    toy with

    To handle something in a careless or frivolous manner.

Last updated August 10, 2026