Your mother had one older sister, who was born with a permanent case of overwrought nerves, maybe also lacking in the brains department.

Wasn't there a saying that those who were a bit behind in the brains department were generally ahead on the physical side?

"I haven't distinguished myself in the brains department recently."

At last the Artist, who didn't seem to be rolling a full barrow (at least not in the brains department) seemed to understand.

Not too much in the brains department.

I'm sure she already knew her only son was short-changed in the brains department.

Mark had always admitted he wasn't much when it came to the brains department.

Jack isn't so great in the brains department, luv, but with what he's got, who needs brains?

Jimmy Sykes is a good boy, but he ain't much in the brains department.

She wasn't considered a dynamo in the brains department, but nobody seemed to care.