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away with the fairies

adj
/əˈweɪ wɪð ðə ˈfɛəɹɪːz/

Etymology

Based around the common belief in Celtic and British Isles folklore that fairies were prone to either kidnapping people or robbing them of their wits.

Definitions

  1. Not all there

    Not all there; slightly crazy.

    • Now, I know the story is away with the fairies, but he produces a body and I take him down to the station to talk to the detectives.
    • Hobday was wild, mad, and totally away with the fairies.

  2. Synonym of lost in thought

    Synonym of lost in thought; distracted or daydreaming.

    • Goodness, you were away with the fairies then! Did you hear me? I asked if you wanted another cup of tea?
    • Shaunna was suddenly in front of him, her voice bringing him back from wherever he'd been. “Hm?” “Are you all right, hun?” “Yeah. Why?” “You were away with the fairies there. Are you making tea?”

  3. Fast asleep.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for away with the fairies. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA