PhrasesHub

Away with the fairies

    Definitions

      • lost in thought or daydreaming
        To describe someone who is not fully present or engaged in reality, often lost in their own thoughts or imagination

      • crazy or eccentric
        To describe someone who is behaving in an unusual or irrational manner, often due to a mental illness or extreme quirkiness

    Examples of Away with the fairies

    • During the meeting, she just stared out the window, completely away with the fairies while critical issues were being discussed.

      Indicates a lack of attention or daydreaming during an important event.

    • When you talk to Morgan about quantum physics, he's clearly away with the fairies.

      Implies Morgan does not understand or shows disinterest in the subject of quantum physics.

    • "You must think I was born yesterday if you expect me to believe that story. You were away with the fairies when that happened!"

      Suggests the person was not in touch with reality or not paying attention at the time of the event.

    • The teacher had to snap her fingers to bring him back from being away with the fairies.

      Used to describe someone who is daydreaming in class and not paying attention to the lesson.

    • "Your explanation is as if you were away with the fairies when the incident occurred," the detective said skeptically.

      Describes a situation where someone seems to lack a realistic grasp of the events they are explaining.

    • Her idea to turn the office into a jungle gym is proof that she's away with the fairies.

      Implies that the person's idea is impractical or fanciful, showing a disconnect from practical considerations.

    • I love talking to my grandfather, even if half the time he's away with the fairies, telling tales of his youth.

      Expresses affection for someone who is often lost in their thoughts or memories, not fully present.

    • As he rambled on about his conspiracy theories, it was clear he was away with the fairies.

      Used to indicate someone is lost in bizarre or unrealistic thoughts.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "away with the fairies" is used to describe someone who is not fully present or engaged in reality, often lost in their own thoughts or imagination. This can also refer to someone who is behaving in an unusual or irrational manner, possibly due to a mental illness or extreme quirkiness.

    Origin of "Away with the fairies"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to Irish folklore, where fairies were believed to be mystical and mischievous creatures. In this context, being "away with the fairies" meant being in a state of enchantment or being taken away by these magical beings. Over time, the phrase became more commonly used to describe someone who is lost in their own thoughts or behaving in a strange way.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom originated from the idea of being taken away by the fairies to the fairy world, which was seen as a place of fantasy and escape from reality. This ties into the use of the phrase to describe someone who is lost in their own thoughts or daydreaming.

    Regardless of its exact origin, "away with the fairies" has become a popular idiom in the English language, used to describe someone who is not fully present or behaving in a peculiar manner.