out to lunch


out to (some meal)

Away from one's normal location to eat a particular meal. Do you want to go out to brunch tomorrow? Sorry, the boss is out to lunch right now. Can I leave a message?See also: out

out to lunch

1. Literally, having left one's home or workplace to get lunch. I received an automated email from the accountant saying that she was out to lunch.2. Figuratively, not connected or in touch with the real world; absentminded or uninformed. Jim's been a bit out to lunch lately, don't you think? Sorry, what did you say? I was out to lunch there for a minute.See also: lunch, out

out to lunch

 1. Lit. eating lunch away from one's place of work or activity. I'm sorry, but Sally Jones is out to lunch. May I take a message? She's been out to lunch for nearly two hours. When will she be back? 2. and out of it Fig. not alert; giddy; uninformed. Bill is really out of it. Why can't he pay attention? Don't be out of it, John. Wake up! Ann is really out to lunch these days.See also: lunch, out

out to lunch

Not in touch with the real world, crazy; also, inattentive. For example, If he believes that story, he's really out to lunch, or Anne hasn't heard a word you said-she's out to lunch. This expression transfers a temporary physical absence for the purpose of eating to a temporary or permanent mental absence. [Slang; mid-1900s] See also: lunch, out

out to lunch

INFORMALIf you describe someone as out to lunch, you mean that they are behaving in a crazy way or are not aware of what is happening around them. I could not think how to reply. Now he would think I was out to lunch. Note: You can use out-to-lunch before a noun. He must be the most out-to-lunch chief executive in America.See also: lunch, out

out to lunch

crazy; insane. informalSee also: lunch, out

ˌout to ˈlunch

(informal, especially American English) crazy, stupid or confused: She has talent physically but mentally she’s out to lunch. ♢ I respect his scholarship, but he’s out to lunch on this matter.See also: lunch, out

out to lunch

mod. absentminded; giddy; stupid acting. (see also OTL.) Old Ted is so out to lunch these days. Seems to be losing his mind. See also: lunch, out

out to lunch

Slang Not in touch with the real world; crazy.See also: lunch, out

out to lunch

Extremely absentminded or stupid; also, crazy. The Science Digest of August 1955 defined this mid-twentieth-century slangy expression: “‘Out to lunch’ refers to someone who, in other years, just wasn’t ‘there’— and he is told immediately to ‘Get with it.’” See also the quotation under mean streak.See also: lunch, out