loose bolts
Not tightened hardware
Loose bolts are fasteners that haven't been tightened properly or have worked free over time.
The phrase often appears in safety contexts—machinery fails, wheels come off, structures collapse because of loose bolts.
Figuratively, a few loose bolts suggests someone is mentally unstable, playing on the image of a machine not quite held together: He's got a few loose bolts upstairs.
- nutsSeeds in shells
- screwsThreaded metal fasteners
- hex headPolygonal bolt end
- fastenersDevices joining materials
- rattlingProducing rapid knocks
vibration · wrench · tightening · wobbly · hardware · socket · socket wrench · threads · torque · machinery · safety · hazard · accident waiting to happen · clatter · routine check · maintenance · inspection · failure
- Equipment Problemsrust, corrosion, wear, deterioration, breakdown
- Maintenance Errorsoverfilling, skipped steps
- car problemsflat tire, dead battery, engine light, check engine, brake failure
- cycling woesflat tire, saddle sore, chafing, knee pain, puncture
- train delaysderailment, delays, signal failure, flooding, power outage