Out to lunch

Suggest a Correction

Meaning

Oblivious, inattentive, irrational, or detached from what is happening. Current informal expression; can sound insulting when applied to a person Regional use: United States, later wider English.

Origin

The figurative phrase is an Americanism from the mid-20th century. It extends the literal office notice: someone who is out eating lunch is unavailable to conduct business. A 1946 New Jersey example applies it to a missing sense of humour, and a 1950 Pennsylvania political column uses it for an administration seen as absent from the issue. No more elaborate origin is needed or evidenced.

Variants

  • be out to lunch
  • way out to lunch

Usage Examples

  • Anyone who thinks that roof will survive another winter is out to lunch.
  • I was so tired during the briefing that I was way out to lunch.

Browse More

A to Z More O phrases