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to be a wally

to be a wally

9.9
Act in a silly, embarrassing way
  • idiom
  • /biː ə ˈwɒli/
  • Offensive
translation icon : hacer el tonto
  • She was being a wally by arguing over something so trivial.

Examples

  • Don't be a wally at the party!

  • Please don't be a wally and forget your keys again.

  • If you be a wally in front of the boss, he'll never take you seriously.

  • Why do you always be a wally in front of your friends?

  • Please don't be a wally when we have guests over; it will embarrass everyone.

  • If you continue to be a wally, your classmates will not want to hang out with you.

  • At the meeting, he really started to be a wally by telling silly jokes that made no sense.

Synonyms

to be silly
vsto be a wally
88 2.1

Act in a foolish or playful way without taking things seriously

is foolish in a way that can be embarrassing or inept rather than playful
to make a fool of oneself
vsto be a wally
42 4.1

Act in a way that makes you look silly or embarrassed

is similar but can be less deliberate and more simply inept
to clown around
vsto be a wally
  • Informal
9 4.8

To act silly and playful to make people laugh

is foolishness that is often more embarrassing or inept rather than playful
to act a fool
vsto be a wally
  • Informal
3 8.0

To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention

is foolish behavior that may be accidental or more genuinely embarrassing
to be a buffoon
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
2 8.1

To act in a silly, embarrassing way to make people laugh

is sillier and awkward but not necessarily as exaggerated or theatrical
to act like a putz
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a silly or clumsy way

is more about being silly or embarrassing than only unskilled action
to be a tosser
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a rude, stupid way

is silly or inept but may be less offensive in tone
to be a berk
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To act in a foolish way

is sillier and can be more about awkwardness than pure stupidity
to beclown
vsto be a wally
1 9.9

To make yourself look foolish by doing or saying silly things

is similar but emphasizes inept or embarrassing acting rather than self-mockery
to play silly buggers
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Act in a foolish, annoying way instead of being serious

is foolishness that can be more accidental and socially awkward
to be a dickwad
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Act in a rude, foolish way that annoys or upsets other people

is silly or inept without the strong intention to annoy
to be such an arse
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To act rudely and annoy other people

is foolish or embarrassing without strong objectionable tone
to act like a dingus
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a foolish, clumsy way that makes people laugh

is more broadly silly and may also seem embarrassing or inept
to act like a clodpole
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a foolish and clumsy way

is focused on simple silliness or general ineptness rather than just clumsiness
to act like a dipstick
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave foolishly or clumsily

is broader silliness that can be embarrassing beyond simple clumsiness
to act like a doylem
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a silly, clumsy way

is sillier and can feel more generally embarrassing rather than just clumsy
to act like a dumbo
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly or foolish way

is similar but can also include playful or light embarrassment
to act like a ditz
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk

is general foolishness that need not imply scattered thinking
to act like a buffoon
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
6.8

Behave in a silly, clumsy way to make people laugh at you

is foolish behavior that may be less about showing off and more awkward
to act like a dorkus
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish

is broader silliness that can lead to stronger embarrassment or ineptness
to act like a scally
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly, rude way and break rules

is silly or inept without the specific loutish or unruly quality
to act like a tosser
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave rudely or foolishly in a way that annoys others

is silliness that may be less about judgment and more about embarrassment
to be a clipcock
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a foolish or careless way

is silly or foolish without stressing incompetence specifically
to be a chutiya
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a stupid and rude way

is general silliness often causing embarrassment rather than naivety
to be a booby
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a silly or stupid way

is similar but can feel more noticeably embarrassing or inept
to be a dink
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude or foolish way that annoys other people

is silly or inept without necessarily being irritating to others
to act like a peabrain
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly, not very smart way

is silliness that can also include awkward embarrassment rather than just senselessness
to be a pisher
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To act nervously and foolishly when you feel afraid or unsure

is foolishness that is not defined by timidity or inexperience
to act like a dingleberry
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly or annoying way

is silliness that may be more awkward than actively annoying
to act like an arseface
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

is silliness that can be less obnoxious and more simply inept
to act like a douchecanoe
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave rudely and selfishly and annoy other people

is foolish or embarrassing but not necessarily intensely irritating
to act like a total fucktwat
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a very rude and thoughtless way that upsets other people

is foolish or inept but usually less offensive and extreme
to act like a manbaby
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a very childish way as an adult

is silly or foolish but not specifically immature or childlike
to act like a barmpot
vsto be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly or wild way that makes people laugh

is silly or inept without implying eccentric craziness

Antonyms

sensible
201 2.7

Showing good judgment and making practical choices

competent
114 3.6

Able to do a job well because of skill and knowledge

How Silly

to be a wally
  • Offensive
9.9
to be silly
88 2.1

Surface Forms

be a wally infinitive
being a wally present participle

Morphology

be + a + wally

The meaning 'to behave in a silly or foolish way' is directly and transparently built from 'be' (exist/act as) + 'a' (indefinite article) + 'wally' (someone who behaves in a silly manner). This copular + noun pattern is a basic, cross-linguistically common composition, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrase be a wally likely comes from using the name Wally for a silly or clumsy person. So calling someone a wally meant they were acting foolish, and to be a wally now means 'to behave in a silly or embarrassing way'.