spaced out
Meaning
To be mentally disengaged from one's surroundings, often appearing dreamy or distracted.
Origin
The evocative phrase 'spaced out' truly took off in the mid-20th century, particularly within the American counterculture of the 1960s. It vividly conjures the image of a mind detached from reality, floating freely and unbound, as if venturing into outer space. This potent metaphor was initially used to describe the disoriented or dreamy state induced by psychedelic drugs, embodying a perceived mental journey beyond earthly bounds. Its immediate clarity and widespread appeal quickly expanded its usage beyond drug culture, becoming a common idiom for anyone who appears disengaged, lost in thought, or simply inattentive to their immediate surroundings.
Examples
- After staring at the screen for hours, she was completely spaced out and didn't hear her name called.
- He often gets spaced out during long meetings, lost in his own thoughts.