daft as a brush

(as) daft as a brush

slang Strange or silly. Primarily heard in UK. Quit being as daft as a brush—it's too dangerous to play on this busy street!
See also: brush, daft
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

daft as a brush

BRITISH
If someone is as daft as a brush, they are very silly or stupid. She was as daft as a brush. Couldn't say anything with any sense in it. Note: This expression may have come from `as soft as a brush', as both `soft' and `daft' can mean stupid. Alternatively, it could have come from a fuller version, `as daft as a brush without bristles'.
See also: brush, daft
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

(as) ˌdaft as a ˈbrush

(British English, spoken) (of a person) very silly
See also: brush, daft
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (as) daft as a brush
  • daft
  • be as daft as a brush
  • brush over
  • have a brush with
  • have a brush with (something)
  • brush with death
  • run a brush through (one's) hair
  • brush down
  • Fuller Brush man
References in periodicals archive
Peter Tracey, a Rotary Club member and volunteer for the cancer charity Daft as a Brush, who helped to introduce the first piano to the station, launched a search for a new piano to replace the one that had been broken.
The founder of Newcastle-based Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care has reached the milestone 14 months after leaving Tyneside.
Brian said: "The Daft as a Brush concept has been received so well in Northern Ireland, I am really thrilled.
Last October Soroptimist International of Middlesbrough planted 500 bluebells in Albert Park in aid of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.
CANCER patient care charity Daft as a Brush has taken delivery of eight new ambulances.
As daft as a brush, which gained national fame when Sir Bobby Robson used the expression to describe Paul Gascoigne in the 1990 World Cup, was used in the mid 19th century when it was daft as a besom.
I told you in a previous verse Well I've kept on watching "Corrie" And I've found somebody worse This guy has it in for everyone He stands there spouting his views Behind the counter of the newly built Kabin Selling sweets and the Mancs Evening News His business partner is Rita She only serves when there's a bit of a rush He is so much in love with his girlfriend Mary, who is daft as a brush Oh Norris you are an old gossip A disgrace to the nice name of Cole Lovely people like Cheryl and Old King And Joe, who's now in a leftside midfield role Still I'm glad that the tram didn't get you Glad that you weren't written out Cos on reflection you look something like me Glasses - small - grumpy and short by Bobby Clinton, Anfield
Getting pay cut back to just half a million a year, that's what's really daft as a brush.
JOE McLAUGHLIN is happy to admit John Hughes was as daft as a brush as a player.
From Mair Jones, PwllheliNobody say daft as a brush! Tess helps to keep the patio clean: thanks to P Roberts of Groeslon for the photoMirror, signal, manoeuvre says Del the Jack Russell.
An Aberdare woman is acting as daft as a brush after landing a lead role in one of television's most popular children's series.
Angry feminists across the Channel say the silly sex-pert is as daft as a brush.
The founder of Newcastlebased Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care has reached the milestone 14 months after leaving Tyneside.
Brian, who founded Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, left Tyneside last March on his mission to walk 7,000 miles around the coastline of Britain and Ireland to spread the word about the Newcastle-based charity.
Brian, who founded Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, leftTyneside last March on his mission to walk 7,000 miles around the coastline of Britain and Ireland to spread the word about the Newcastle-based charity.