Elamur: [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Parse](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/parse/) · **Dictionary** · [Translate](https://md.translate.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [Research](https://md.research.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [MCP](https://mcp.elamur.ai/) · [Groupants](https://md.groupants.elamur.ai/free/en/)

[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/out-to-lunch/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [O](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/o/) / out to lunch

# out to lunch

idiom (adjective phrase used after «be»: out to lunch)

«out to lunch» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, slang) mad, crazy, or not paying attention; not thinking clearly.
2. (literal) away from work to eat lunch.

### In the lessons

Used jokingly to say someone's mind is somewhere else or they are a bit crazy. Slang register, mainly USA, also elsewhere.

### Examples

- The manager is out to lunch, back at two.
- That guy is totally out to lunch.
- Sorry, I was out to lunch for a minute — what was the question?
- Anyone who believes that story is out to lunch.
- His ideas are completely out to lunch.
- The referee was out to lunch on that call.

### Note

The literal and idiom senses look the same; context decides. Plain words: crazy, not paying attention.