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Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Cartoons | | English term or phrase: one drumstick short of a bargain bucket | This is a cartoon about a phoenix that lives in certain Realm in the mountains and, when he travels to the Realm of Earth, something strange happens. I copy it here:
Thinking that looking like a phoenix might draw too much unwanted attention, XXX transformed himself into a chicken as he was flying down from the mountains. The trouble is that his stubby chicken wings weren't too good at flying – and he landed on his head, losing all memory of who he is. Now he’s one ***drumstick short of a bargain bucket***!
Sometimes he almost remembers who he really is, but it never lasts long.
I would really appreciate the help of native speakers, as I understand this is a very idiomatic expression. Thanks for any help! |
| | | English translation:some components of his brain are missing | Explanation:
Building on Cilian's answer, which listed several equivalents for the phrase you need help with, I wanted to add that the phrase actually means that the person is missing some essential component of his brain (in this case memory), making it harder for him to function like a normal person.
The drumstick thing is a reference to the bargain buckets of chicken pieces that you can get at a fastfood restaurant like KFC. The bucket is typically filled with enough pieces of chicken to feed an entire family. "One drumstick short" means that the bucket is missing a piece of chicken (the drumstick/leg).
So now that the person has fallen on his head and lost his memory, he is "one drumstick short." |
| Selected response from:
Amel Abdullah
| Grading comment Thank you! you have clarified it very well.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +12
