PhrasesHub

Out of sight

    Definitions

      • not visible
        to describe something that cannot be seen

      • away from one's mind
        to describe something that has been forgotten or is no longer a concern

      • extremely good
        to describe something that is excellent or impressive

    Examples of Out of sight

    • The thief slipped out of sight as soon as he realized that the police were on their way.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone or something disappears or becomes hidden from view. In this example, the thief quickly left the area when he saw that the police were coming, in order to avoid being seen or caught.

    • The teacher asked the students to put away their books and leave the classroom, so that she could grade their exams in peace and quiet.

      In this example, the phrase "out of sight" is used to describe a location where the teacher and the students' exams will be hidden from view, allowing the teacher to work undisturbed.

    • The burglar crept into the house and carefully made his way through the dark corridors, staying out of sight as he searched for valuables.

      Here, the phrase "out of sight" is used to describe how the burglar moved around the house without being seen by anyone who might be inside or outside of the building.

    • The parents left their child in the care of the babysitter, reassuring themselves that she would keep a close eye on him at all times, so that he wouldn't get into any mischief or wander off out of sight.

      In this example, the phrase "out of sight" is used to describe a situation where the child is being watched and kept under close supervision, so that he doesn't disappear or become lost.

    • The burglar always strikes when the homeowners are out of sight, either by staying away during the day or waiting until they leave for the evening.

      This means that the thief doesn't target houses when people are home and able to see or stop him. Instead, he chooses a time when no one is around to witness his crimes.

    • I like to put my phone out of sight during dinner, as it helps me to focus on my loved ones and enjoy the meal without any distractions.

      Here, "out of sight" is used metaphorically to mean "out of mind." By removing the phone from view, the person is less likely to think about it and be distracted by it during the meal.

    • The boss put his angry expression out of sight behind a closed door as he talked to his employees, hoping to avoid causing further tension in the meeting.

      In this example, "out of sight" means "hidden," as the boss is trying to conceal his negative emotions from view. This can also be seen as a way to prevent others from seeing his true feelings, which could further escalate the situation.

    • The athlete's performance fell out of sight after a series of injuries and setbacks, as he struggled to recover and regain his form.

      "Out of sight" here refers to a decrease in performance or productivity, as the athlete's skills and abilities have become less evident due to his injuries and struggles.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "out of sight" can be used to convey three different meanings. It can be used to describe something that is not visible, something that has been forgotten or is no longer a concern, or something that is extremely good or impressive. This versatile idiom can be used in various contexts to convey different ideas.

    Origin of "Out of sight"

    The origin of the idiom "out of sight" can be traced back to the late 19th century. The literal meaning of the phrase refers to something that is not within the range of vision. Over time, it has developed figurative meanings, such as being forgotten or being excellent. The idiom is commonly used in everyday language to convey these different meanings, and its versatility has made it a popular phrase in English communication.

    One possible origin of the figurative meanings of the idiom could be the idea that something that is out of sight is also out of mind, leading to the association with being forgotten or no longer a concern. As for the meaning of something being extremely good, it may have developed from the idea that when something is not seen, it is often missed or valued more, leading to the association with excellence. Overall, the idiom "out of sight" has evolved from its literal meaning to encompass various figurative meanings that are widely used in modern English.