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off-the-wall. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
off-the-wall, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
off-the-wall in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
Perhaps from baseball or other games played with a ball, alluding to unpredictable bounces; but compare also bounce off the walls.
Pronunciation
Adjective
off-the-wall (comparative more off-the-wall, superlative most off-the-wall)
- (idiomatic) Wildly unconventional; bizarre; absurd.
What kind of a harebrained, off-the-wall idea is that?
She is a very off-the-wall character.
2015 March 19, Alessandra Stanley, “'Empire' Finale Review: A Sizzling End to Season One”, in New York Times:What makes it surprising, though, are the glimmers of wit and self-awareness beneath all the rap star swagger and over-the-top confrontations. Even the fervid finale had a few off-the-wall side jokes.
- (idiomatic) Of a person's behaviour: greatly inappropriate.
2012, Reginald Pierce, The Paladin, page 204:All of their friends were amazed that they were familiar with a war hero. Some began to understand Chips' moods and drinking. His "off the wall" behaviour at times. And unknowingly they were "forgiving" him.
Translations
wildly unconventional; bizarre; absurd