la-la land

American  

[lah-lah] / ˈlɑˌlɑ /

noun

Slang.

1. a state of being out of touch with reality.

2. (usually initial capital letters) Los Angeles.

---

La-La land British  

/ ˈlɑːˌlɑː /

noun

1. a nickname for Los Angeles

2. (not capitals) a place that is remote from reality

---

la-la land Idioms  

1. Los Angeles, California (often abbreviated L.A.). This expression pokes fun at the alleged eccentricities of the city's inhabitants. For example, What do you expect? Frederick has lived in la-la land for ten years and it has rubbed off on him . [ Slang ; c. 1980]

2. A state of being out of touch with reality, as in I don't know what's going on with Amy—she seems to be in la-la land . [ Slang ; c. 1980] Also see cloud-cuckoo land ; never-never land .

---

Etymology

Origin of la-la land

1980–85; reduplication of L.A., abbreviation of Los Angeles

Example Sentences

A glittering party scene is part of every exhibition Arens hosts, dating back to his previous gallery, LA-LA Land, which he opened two decades ago on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood and ran until its lease came up last year.

From Los Angeles Times

Originally from St. Paul, Minn., Arens moved to L.A. in 2004 and promptly opened LA-LA Land.

From Los Angeles Times

When LA-LA Land’s lease expired, Arens sought a new place that would embrace his experimental energy.

From Los Angeles Times

As with previous events at LA-LA Land, the opening attracted rockers, drag queens and club world cognoscenti.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s what he fears most now, and it helps explain why he seems to be going from merely off the rails to a headlong dash to la-la land.

From Salon