away with the fairies

alternative off with the fairies

1. idiomaticnot comparableNot all there; slightly crazy.

   Hobday was wild, mad, and totally away with the fairies.

   2005, Ben Wright, Michael Patrick Shiels, Good Bounces and Bad Lies

   3 more examples

   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.

   2000, Peter Watt, Cry of the Curlew

   That was so ridiculous I laughed. A smile would crack Alison's poetic persona so she looked serious. She put her thin hand to her cheek like a lady writer in a photograph with eyes that could penetrate surfaces. She was certainly away with the fairies.

   2001, Finola Moorhead, Darkness More Visible

   Don't believe a word he says, pet. He's away with the fairies.

   2013, Santa Montefiore, Secrets of the Lighthouse, →ISBN, page 34

   Synonyms: away with the pixies

2. idiomaticnot comparableSynonym 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?

   2012, Hannah Richell, Secrets of the Tides, →ISBN, page 106

   2 more examples

   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?”

   2014, Debbie McGowan, Crying in the Rain, →ISBN, page 55

   Mohandas Lakesh Singh's thoughts were far away when Donald Bry placed the report on his desk. Lakesh responded with a jump of sudden surprise. “I'm sorry,” Bry apologized. “I didn't realize you were—” “Think nothing of it, Donald,” Lakesh assured with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I was just...away with the fairies.”

   2015, James Axler, Terminal White, →ISBN, page 198

   Synonyms: lost in thought

3. idiomaticnot comparableFast asleep.