Idiom
thick as two short planks
Meanings
Very stupid; very slow to understand.
Definition
Extremely stupid or slow to understand.
If someone is thick as two short planks, they are very stupid or have great difficulty understanding something. It is a strong, insulting phrase and is mostly used in informal British English. People often use it in frustration or to criticize someone’s judgment.
Examples
- He’s thick as two short planks if he thinks that plan will work.
- Don’t ask her for help with the wiring—she’s thick as two short planks.
- I felt thick as two short planks when I couldn’t follow the simplest instructions.
- They called the new trainee thick as two short planks, which was unfair.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this in formal situations, but it is very informal and can sound rude or offensive.
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More idiom (adjective phrase)s
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
- chuffed to bits Very pleased and proud about something.
- easy as pie Used to say that something is very easy to do or understand.
- right as rain Completely well again, or in perfect condition.
- all mouth and no trousers Someone who talks confidently about what they will do but does not take action.