To be crazy; to act, think, or behave in a foolish or nonsensical manner. Tommy must have bats in the belfry if he thinks he can convince our mother to let him get a tattoo for his birthday. There's an old lady who stands on the corner yelling at strangers all day. I think she might have bats in the belfry.

How do you use bats in the belfry?

The phrase “bats in the belfry” means crazy or eccentric behavior. Bats usually fly around erratically when they are moved. Hence, the phrase is often suitable to use if a person is running around aimlessly, thinking something out loud or he/she imagines if something is flying above their head.

What does the phrase mean bats in the belfry?

—to have bats in the belfry or (chiefly US) bats in one's belfry is to be crazy an old woman with bats in her belfry.

Where did the term bats in your belfry come from?

A writer first uttered the phrase “Bats in the belfry” in 1899, as he humorously described a chaotic scene from an opera. Other writers picked up the phrase, re-used it to indicate insanity or nuttiness, and a new idiom was born, still in use today.

What does belfry mean in a sentence?

1 : a bell tower especially : one surmounting or attached to another structure. 2 : a room or framework for enclosing a bell. 3 : head sense 2a batty in the belfry.

Bats in the Belfry

Are there bats in one's belfry?

To be crazy; to act, think, or behave in a foolish or nonsensical manner. Tommy has bats in his belfry if he thinks he can convince our mother to let him get a tattoo for his birthday. There's an old lady who stands on the corner yelling at strangers all day.

What is a belfry slang?

Slang. head; mind: a belfry full of curious notions.

How do I keep bats out of my belfry?

A semi-annual inspection of your home (recommended during spring and fall) for any holes, gaps, or places where caulking or weatherstripping may have failed is an excellent way to prevent a bat-infested belfry.

Do something on the up and up?

The phrase on the up and up can mean either that something is legitimate or that something is improving.

Why does bats in the belfry mean crazy?

Because bats use echolocation instead of their eyes to fly, their flight pattern can often appear erratic. Having "bats in the belfry" means that a person is crazy or eccentric; this idiomatic expression originated in the late 19th century.

Why are people called batty?

Batty originally meant "like a bat," with the "eccentric" meaning arising from the expression "bats in the belfry," which means "crazy" or "not right in the head."

What is a bat house?

If mosquitoes are an issue, then you may have heard about the wonders of bat houses. These little boxes offer living quarters to mosquito-eating bats - sure to solve your pest problem in one quick swoop.

Are No Laughing Matter?

If you say that something is no laughing matter, you mean that it is very serious and not something that you should laugh or joke about. Their behaviour is an offence.

What does the saying hit and miss mean?

: sometimes successful and sometimes not : not reliably good or successful.

What is the meaning of up to the minute?

1 : extending up to the immediate present : including the very latest information up-to-the-minute scores. 2 : marked by complete up-to-dateness up-to-the-minute equipment.

Are bats protected in Ohio?

Bats are protected in Ohio: Remember that bats are protected in Ohio, with species listed on both state and federal endangered species lists. State residents are strongly discouraged from attempting to rehabilitate injured or downed bats, due to the risk of rabies.

What is the most common bat in Ohio?

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) — Common throughout the state and found over most of North America, the Little Brown is perhaps the most abundant species in Ohio.

How do you keep bats out of peaks?

The primary means of bat prevention is to identify and seal small gaps in your house, particularly at roof peaks and dormer vents and eaves. Seal any area 3/8 inch or wider, with either caulk or expanding foam.

How do you use bats in the belfry in a sentence?

To be crazy; to act, think, or behave in a foolish or nonsensical manner. Tommy must have bats in the belfry if he thinks he can convince our mother to let him get a tattoo for his birthday. There's an old lady who stands on the corner yelling at strangers all day. I think she might have bats in the belfry.

What does to arm mean?

armed; arming; arms. Definition of arm (Entry 2 of 5) transitive verb. 1 : to furnish or equip with weapons. 2 : to furnish with something that strengthens or protects arming citizens with the right to vote.

Are bat boxes a good idea?

Installing a bat house on your property can provide a safe environment for bats, while protecting your yard from pest insects, like mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. Bat houses give females a safe, warm place to raise their young. Since most female bats only have one pup each year, bat populations grow very slowly.

Do bats eat wasps?

Do bats eat wasps and bees? Most bat species are insectivores and eat a wide variety of insects so, technically, they could also eat bees and wasps. In reality, bats rarely cross paths with these insects, as they are nocturnal creatures, and bees and wasps are active during the daytime.

Are bat houses messy?

Higher is better. Place the bat house at least 15 feet above the ground on a pole or outbuilding exterior. Mounting it on your home is not wise because bats support various mites, fleas, and insects (and very rarely, rabies) that you want to keep away from your house. Moreover, bats are messy.

Is it safe to stay in a house with bats in the attic?

Other than damaging your attic and making a lot of noise, bats can make you get sick. Their droppings, guano, contain a fungus known as Histoplasma capsulatum which is detrimental to people's health. ... You shouldn't even attempt to clean bat guano on your own! These pests also expose humans to rabies.