be miles away
Meaning: To be lost in thought and not paying attention.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “I asked twice what he wanted for dinner, but he was miles away.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The mind is pictured as having traveled far from the body. The phrase is common in British English from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Spanish: Estar en Babia — literally: To be in Babia
More idioms — Daily Life
- take one's ball and go home — To quit in a sulk and spoil the activity for everyone else.
- give and take — Mutual compromise, where each side concedes something.
- on the sly — Secretly, so as not to be seen.
- bail someone out — To rescue someone from trouble, especially by paying.
- a double-edged sword — Something with both good and bad consequences.
- blow the lid off — To expose a scandal or secret.
More English idioms
- sly as a fox — Very cunning.
- walk a tightrope — To be in a situation where one small mistake would be disastrous.
- a spare tire — A roll of fat around the waist.
- count one's chickens before they hatch — To rely on something good before it has actually happened.
- small potatoes — Something unimportant or trivial.
- a dog's breakfast — A complete mess.
From our compliments & insults
- Eres todo un personaje — Said with deep affection: you're unforgettable, one of a kind, impossible to replace.
- Sei una forza della natura — You're unstoppable — your energy and drive are bigger than any obstacle.
- Hai le mani d'oro — You're extraordinarily skilled with your hands — a craftsperson, cook, or fixer of legend…