PhrasesHub

Veg out

    Definitions

      • relax or laze
        To spend time doing nothing, usually by lying around or sitting in a relaxed manner

      • disengage from activities
        To withdraw from social or work-related activities and instead focus on relaxation or leisure

    Examples of Veg out

    • After a long day at work, John vegged out in front of the TV, mindlessly munching on chips and avoiding any responsibility.

      When we say that someone vegs out, it means that they become completely relaxed and disoriented, often due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any other substances. In this example, John vegged out after a long day at work, probably because he was exhausted and needed some time to unwind. Instead of engaging in any productive activities, John chose to watch TV and snack mindlessly, avoiding any responsibilities that might require his attention.

    • Sarah has been living in this new city for a week, but she's still feeling a little lost and overwhelmed. She vegged out at the park yesterday, soaking up the sun and people-watching instead of exploring the city or doing anything productive.

      In this example, Sarah's feeling of being disoriented and lost has made her veg out, probably as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress and uncertainty of a new environment. She chose to relax and do nothing productive, instead of dealing with her new surroundings directly.

    • After a long and hectic week, I couldn't wait to veg out this weekend. I'm planning to read some books, watch some movies, and do nothing else except enjoy some quiet time at home.

      Here we're using veg out in a more positive way, as a way to indicate that someone is looking forward to some leisurely and relaxing time. The speaker is planning to do nothing else but enjoy some quiet time at home, reading books and watching movies, as a way to balance out the stress and activity of their busy week.

    • Dan's wife accused him of vegging out all afternoon yesterday, watching sports on TV instead of helping her with the housework.

      In this example, vegging out is being used in a more negative way, with the speaker implying that the behavior is a form of laziness and neglect. Dan's wife felt that Dan was wasting his time watching sports instead of contributing to the household tasks, which is an example of how vegging out can be viewed as a form of avoidance or procrastination in some contexts.

    • After a long day at work, I like to veg out in front of the TV with a bowl of chips and some snacks. I just want to unwind and relax for a while.

      "Veg out" is a slang expression meaning to mentally or physically disconnect from one's surroundings and retreat into a state of relaxation and lethargy. In this example, the speaker is using "veg out" to describe their desire to unwind and relax after work by watching TV and snacking.

    • During the pandemic, I found myself vegging out a lot more than usual. With no other distractions, I was spending hours scrolling through social media or binge-watching shows on Netflix.

      The pandemic has led many people to spend more time at home, often resulting in increased screen time and a pattern of mindless scrolling or binge-watching. The expression "vegging out" is used here to describe this behavior, as the speaker wants to emphasize the mindless and lethargic nature of binge-watching or excessive social media use during the pandemic.

    • I try to avoid vegging out too much as it can negatively impact my productivity and creativity. Instead, I usually veg out for a short while as a way to transition from work mode to relaxation mode.

      While "vegging out" is often seen as a negative behavior, it can also be used in moderation as a way to decompress after a long day. In this example, the speaker is acknowledging the negative effects of excessive "vegging out" but also recognizing that a short period of relaxation can be beneficial in helping them transition from work to leisure time.

    • After a stressful week, my body is just begging to be vegged out. I'm going to spend the entire weekend curled up on the couch with some good books and movies.

      This example emphasizes the physical and mental exhaustion that can lead to "vegging out" behavior. The speaker is using the expression to describe their desire to completely relax and disconnect from the stresses of the week.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "veg out" is commonly used to describe the act of relaxing or lazing around, often by doing nothing or engaging in leisure activities. It can also refer to disengaging from activities or responsibilities in favor of relaxation. The intention behind using this idiom is to convey a sense of taking a break and unwinding.

    People use this idiom when they want to communicate that they are taking some time for themselves, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is often used in casual conversations or when discussing plans for leisure or downtime.

    Origin of "Veg out"

    The origin of the idiom "veg out" can be traced back to the late 20th century, specifically to the 1980s. The term "veg" is a shortened form of the word "vegetate," which means to lead a passive existence without much physical or mental activity. The addition of "out" emphasizes the act of completely disengaging from activities.

    The idiom likely originated from the idea of vegetables growing and resting in the ground, connoting a sense of relaxation and inactivity. Over time, it evolved to be used in a figurative sense to describe humans engaging in leisurely and relaxed behavior. Today, it is a commonly used idiom in informal language to express the desire to relax and take it easy.

    Examples:

    • After a long week at work, I just want to veg out on the couch and watch some movies.
    • Instead of going out, let's just veg out at home this weekend and recharge.