In a world of their own
Meaning
To be so absorbed in one's own thoughts, fantasies, or activities that one is unaware of or detached from their immediate surroundings.
Origin
The concept of an individual's unique inner experience is as old as human thought itself. Philosophers for centuries have pondered how each person perceives and constructs their own reality, a deeply personal and subjective universe. This phrase didn't burst forth from a specific historical event or invention; rather, it emerged organically from the simple, everyday observation of human behavior. Imagine the solitary dreamer, the intense artist, or the child utterly absorbed in play—their attention so completely captivated that the external world seems to fade into irrelevance. It's in these moments of profound internal focus, where one's thoughts, feelings, and imagination take precedence, that we instinctively describe someone as existing 'in a world of their own,' acknowledging the powerful, self-contained universe each mind creates.
Examples
- The artist, completely engrossed in her painting, was in a world of her own, barely noticing when I entered the studio.
- During the long commute, he often puts on his headphones and retreats into a world of his own, listening to podcasts and ignoring the bustling train.