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out to lunch
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.
out to lunch
1. not giving your attention to what you are doing Their team is so good, they'd have to be totally out to lunch for us to win a game.
2. lacking good mental judgment She's clearly an idiot, and even a five year old should be able to tell she's out to lunch.
Etymology: based on the literal meaning of out to lunch (away from your place of business because you are eating lunch)
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]
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. out to lunch
Slang Not in touch with the real world; crazy.