Recently a co-worker and I debated the proper use of "out to lunch". The argument stemmed from conversation over the appropriate preposition to use, and became particularly heated when we tried to determine if lunch was a verb, or was short for "luncheon" — or some other, older word. (Yes, he referenced "lunchentach".) Convention aside, what is the proper usage of the phrase?
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7In British English, “out to lunch” is used as a colloquial euphemism for “crazy”, so I tend to say “out for lunch” to avoid ambiguity. “Out at lunch” sounds awkward to me; I would simply say “at lunch”.– maniacyakCommented Mar 20, 2011 at 11:35
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@maniac: I am Midwestern American and know the phrase as "crazy." No idea where I picked it up.– MrHenCommented Mar 23, 2011 at 20:27
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4 Answers
"Out for lunch" makes me think the person will be bringing the food back with them.
John went out for lunch.
John went out for sandwiches.
John went out for staples.
I have heard the other variations and they seem to mean various things:
John is out at lunch. Can I take a message?
We went out to lunch at the new burger joint.
Can I take you out to lunch?
I have also heard the phrase used to imply someone is "out to lunch" or not entirely there mentally. Context seems to be the only clue that this meaning was intended:
Why did he do that? Is he out to lunch?
When talking to someone while eating, I find this more common:
Can I call you back? I am at lunch.
"Out to lunch" simply means going out (of your place of residence) for the purpose of having lunch. Here, the word lunch is used in the verb form as opposed to its noun form which indeed is a shortened version of luncheon.
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1"going out" conflicts with the use as a sign at an office door (or wherever one'd put up a sign so concerned parties may see it). I always took it to mean "I went out to lunch". And as for "place of residence". Uh, well, I wouldn't leave my place of residence for lunch, usually. I would, however, leave my office to go to lunch. Commented Mar 19, 2011 at 17:47
Here (central Scotland) we would never use "Out To Lunch" when talking about lunch - it tends to be used to mean that you are mental:-)
You could say going "Out for Lunch" and that would be fine.
answered Mar 20, 2011 at 23:06
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Referring to someone as "out to lunch" has been a euphemism for someone who is a bit mad, as long as I can remember. I've always lived in the south of England. Commented Aug 29, 2019 at 7:46
“Out to lunch” is an idiom which means ‘inattentive’, ‘crazy’ or ‘mad’:
”So do I take this guy seriously or is he out to lunch?”(Cambridge dictionary)
Even ‘out for’ is unclear. We need to include the verb ‘go’ :
“He went out to lunch.” (lunch - verb)
“He went out for lunch” (lunch - noun).
answered Jun 9, 2022 at 1:39
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Any sentences that you copy from an external source, even example sentences, need to be attributed.– Laurel ♦Commented Jun 9, 2022 at 1:54
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Ok, sir! The source of the example sentence is mentioned now. Commented Jun 9, 2022 at 3:51