zone out

Idioms  

1. Stop paying attention, dissociate oneself from a situation. Also, engage in a mindless activity. For example, When Felicia starts talking about her ailments and her friends' ailments, I totally zone out. This idiom also occurs in the passive, be zoned out. It originally alluded to narcotic intoxication and then was broadened to other kinds of dissociation. For a near synonym, see tune out, def. 2. [Slang; second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zone out

We can zone out or become so absorbed in something like driving or cooking that we lose track of time, without it being a cause for concern.

From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026

After a few minutes, she would zone out, and he would lose patience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2025

"It's becoming much rarer to zone out and just let the mind wander, but that's when we think in ways that broaden our horizons," she said.

From BBC ● May 7, 2025

“I just found it very enjoyable to zone out and have the right kind of music on and just sort of keep going,” Mark said.

From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2025

I zone out, staring at the trees for a while, and when I turn back toward him, his face is right next to mine.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

Related Words

• lose consciousness
• pass out