Out to lunch
phrase
Someone is not paying attention or is not here.
I tried to explain to him but he was totally out to lunch.
Often appears as...
- completely out to lunch
- totally out to lunch
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Someone is crazy or not making sense.
I don't believe his theories, he's completely out to lunch.
Often appears as...
- completely out to lunch
- totally out to lunch
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Someone is gone or temporarily unavailable, usually during lunchtime.
The receptionist is out to lunch, she will be back in an hour.
Often appears as...
- temporarily out to lunch
- be out to lunch
phrase
Someone is not paying attention or is not here.
I tried to explain to him but he was totally out to lunch.
Often appears as...
- completely out to lunch
- totally out to lunch
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Someone is crazy or not making sense.
I don't believe his theories, he's completely out to lunch.
Often appears as...
- completely out to lunch
- totally out to lunch
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
phrase
Someone is gone or temporarily unavailable, usually during lunchtime.
The receptionist is out to lunch, she will be back in an hour.
Often appears as...
- temporarily out to lunch
- be out to lunch
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is not about eating, but suggests someone's mind is elsewhere.
During the meeting, Joe seemed out to lunch.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Setting
It's casual language and fits best in informal dialogue or narration.
When talking about quantum physics, I'm out to lunch.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Interpretation
Understand it's a figure of speech for not being mentally present.
Ask her later; she's out to lunch right now.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is not about eating, but suggests someone's mind is elsewhere.
During the meeting, Joe seemed out to lunch.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Setting
It's casual language and fits best in informal dialogue or narration.
When talking about quantum physics, I'm out to lunch.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Interpretation
Understand it's a figure of speech for not being mentally present.
Ask her later; she's out to lunch right now.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
The phrase is not about eating, but suggests someone's mind is elsewhere.
During the meeting, Joe seemed out to lunch.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Setting
It's casual language and fits best in informal dialogue or narration.
When talking about quantum physics, I'm out to lunch.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Interpretation
Understand it's a figure of speech for not being mentally present.
Ask her later; she's out to lunch right now.
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