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kangaroo

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have a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock

To be crazy; to act, think, or behave in an eccentric, foolish, or nonsensical manner. Primarily heard in Australia. Tommy must have a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock if he thinks he can convince our mother to let him get a tattoo for his birthday. There's an old lady who stands on the corner yelling at strangers all day. I think she might have a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock.

See also: few, have, kangaroo, loose, top

kangaroo court

An unofficial court or a court that disregards current laws and conducts unfair trials. People who live under oppressive regimes are often treated harshly by corrupt kangaroo courts that don't abide by the law.

See also: court, kangaroo

kangaroo court

a bogus or illegal court. Is this a staff meeting or a kangaroo court? You have turned this interview into a kangaroo court.

See also: court, kangaroo

a kangaroo court

a court of law which is not official and which judges someone in an unfair way A kangaroo court was set up by the strikers to deal with people who had refused to stop working.

See also: court, kangaroo

kangaroo court

A self-appointed tribunal that violates established legal procedure; also, a dishonest or incompetent court of law. For example, The rebels set up a kangaroo court and condemned the prisoners to summary execution, or That judge runs a kangaroo court-he tells rape victims they should have been more careful . This expression is thought to liken the jumping ability of kangaroos to a court that jumps to conclusions on an invalid basis. [Mid-1800s]

See also: court, kangaroo