Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Marcomb]

Could anyone tell me the meaning about the phrase if someone says he/she is not "the sharpest spoon in the shed"?
And how that phrase means the metaphorical meaning?

thz
Martin

[lotus]

Hi Marcomb,

I think it's "the sharpest tool in the shed." It means being the brightest, smartest or sharpest of the bunch. Usually, it's used in the negative context. For example, "He was not the sharpest tool in the shed."

In the opening song of the movie "Shrek", part of the lyric says "I ain't the sharpest tool in the shed." Of course, he turns out to be the brightest of all!


--lotus

[Marcomb]

thz lotus, it really helps.

[LucentShade]

There are other expressions with similar meaning, like "He isn't the brightest crayon in the box."