children's game, from plural of marble (n.); first recorded by that name in 1709 but probably older (it was known in 13c. German as tribekugeln) and originally played with small balls of polished marble or alabaster, later clay; the modern glass ones with the colored swirl date from 1840s.
Meaning "mental faculties, common sense" is from 1927, American English slang, perhaps [OED] from earlier slang marbles "furniture, personal effects, 'the goods' " (1864, Hotten), a corrupt translation of French meubles (plural) "furniture" (see furniture).
实用例句
1. On the far side of the street, two boys were playing marbles.
在街道的那一边，两个男孩在玩弹子游戏。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Let's have a game of marbles.
咱们玩弹球游戏吧.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. I'll tell it to you, although you'll probably think I've lost my marbles.
就算你也许会以为我疯了，我也要把它告诉你。
来自柯林斯例句
4. But they cared nothing for marbles, or circus, or swimming, or anything.
可是,他们对石头弹子 、 马戏 、 游泳等一切游戏都不感兴趣了.
来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
5. The two marbles lay within a foot of each other.
