subs. (colloquial).—Cuteness; cleverness; NOUS (q.v.). Hence BRAINY = smart; clever; UP-TO-DATE (q.v.).
PHRASES. TO BEAT (BREAK, BUSY, CUDGEL, DRAG, or PUZZLE) ONE’S BRAINS = to exert oneself to thought or contrivance. To CRACK ONE’S BRAINS = to become crazy. ON THE BRAIN = crazy about (a matter). TO TURN ONE’S BRAIN = to bewilder, to FLUMMOX (q.v.). A DRY BRAIN: = silly (stupid or barren) brain. A HOT BRAIN = an inventive fancy. BOILED BRAINS = a hot-headed person. TO BEAR A BRAIN = to be cautious. TO SUCK (or PICK) A PERSON’S BRAINS = to get and appropriate information. OF THE SAME BRAIN = identical in conception or doing.
