there's method in madness



there's method in somebody's madness

  (British, American & Australian) also there's a method to somebody's madness (American)
something that you say which means that although someone seems to be behaving strangely, there is a reason for their behaviour
Usage notes: This phrase comes from Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet'.
When he picked the side I thought he must be crazy but, judging by their performance this season, there's obviously method in his madness.
See also: madness, method

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Nata-Russian
Dione[dai'əuni]
Basajaun-Basque
MiĤAelomee-khah-E-loEsperanto
LanaLAH-nə (English)English, Russian, Croatian, Serbian
Pelagios-Ancient Greek