I may be daft, but I'm not stupid: Learn what the means through example!

What does “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” mean?

"I may be daft, but I'm not stupid" means that while someone may not be very smart, they are not completely foolish.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I may not be the brightest, but I may be daft, but I'm not stupid.

Example

He may not have a lot of common sense, but he's not stupid, he's just daft.

Example

She may make silly mistakes, but she's not stupid, she's just a bit daft

Is “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” effectively in context?

You can use "I may be daft, but I'm not stupid" to acknowledge that you may not be very intelligent or knowledgeable about something, but you still have some level of understanding or common sense. It's a way to express humility while asserting that you are not completely foolish. For example, if someone criticizes your lack of expertise in a certain subject, you might respond with 'I may not be the brightest, but "I may be daft, but I'm not stupid".'

• 1. Self-deprecation

  I may not be the most talented artist, but I may be daft, but I'm not stupid.

• 2. Defending someone

  He may not have a lot of experience, but he's not stupid, he's just daft.

• 3. Explaining mistakes

  She may make silly mistakes, but she's not stupid, she's just a bit daft.

Similar phrases to “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid”:

Not the sharpest tool in the shed

Not very intelligent

Example

He's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he has a good heart.

A few fries short of a Happy Meal

Not very smart or mentally capable

Example

She may be a few fries short of a Happy Meal, but she's always fun to be around.

Not the brightest bulb in the box

Not very intelligent

Example

He's not the brightest bulb in the box, but he tries his best.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” come from?

The origin of the phrase "I may be daft, but I'm not stupid" is unknown.

Is “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” common in everyday conversation?

"I may be daft, but I'm not stupid" is not a very common expression in everyday conversation. It is more likely to be used in informal settings among friends or in situations where self-deprecating humor is appreciated.

What tone does “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” have?

"I may be daft, but I'm not stupid" conveys a tone of self-awareness and humor. It is often used in a lighthearted manner to acknowledge one's limitations while maintaining a sense of confidence.

Can “I may be daft, but I'm not stupid” be used in informal and formal settings?

"I may be daft, but I'm not stupid" is an informal expression that is best suited for casual conversations among friends or acquaintances. It may not be appropriate in formal or professional settings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I may not be the most experienced, but "I may be daft, but I'm not stupid".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying '"I may be daft, but I'm not stupid"' to imply self-awareness and humility.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• i may not be the brightest, but...
• i may not be the smartest, but...
• i may not be the most knowledgeable, but...
• i may not be the most clever, but...
• i may not be the most astute, but...

Antonyms

• i am intelligent
• i am knowledgeable
• i am clever
• i am astute