Phrase guide

out to lunch

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Away eating lunch or for a midday break; especially, away from work or a job.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • She's out to lunch right now, but you may leave her a note.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Clueless, inattentive, or careless.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal, not-comparable

Examples

  • After he drove with his turn signal on for five miles, I was pretty sure he was out to lunch.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.