away with the fairies
Meaning
Absent-minded or distracted; not paying attention to what’s happening, often as if daydreaming or living in a fantasy.
Origin
From Celtic/Irish folklore where fairies lure or carry people away; figuratively, someone seems mentally “off in fairyland,” detached from reality.
Notes
Informal, often mildly humorous/teasing. Implies someone is unfocused or dreamy and not fully in touch with what’s happening. Can sound rude if used to suggest incompetence or mental instability.
Examples
-
Sorry—I'm away with the fairies today; can you repeat that?
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He was away with the fairies during the safety briefing and missed the key steps.
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Don't be away with the fairies now—we need to make a decision.
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She went away with the fairies halfway through the meeting and stopped taking notes.
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I can tell you're away with the fairies; what's on your mind?
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used with BE: “be away with the fairies” (am/are/is/was/were). The phrase is fairly fixed; typically predicative, not used as a literal imperative “away with…”.
Synonyms
- head in the clouds
- daydreaming
- spaced out
- in la-la land
- not all there
Antonyms
- focused
- alert
- present
- on the ball