МОЗГИ ВАРЯТ

•ГОЛОВА ВАРИТ (укого)coll; КОТЕЛОК ВАРИТsubstand; МОЗГИ ВАРЯТsubstand

[VPsubj;usu.thisWO]

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1.s.o.is bright, intelligent: у X-a голова <котелок> варит≈X has a good head on his shoulders; X's head is screwed on straight; X has a lot <X is really> on the ball; X is one smart cookie; X has (the) smarts; X has brains.

2.[negonly]

⇒s.o.cannot think clearly (because of fatigue, illnessetc):

-у X-a голова не варит••≈X can't think straight;

-X's brain refuses to function;

-X's brain is on the blink;

-X's brain is mush (fried).