Space Out – Meaning and Examples
Imagine sitting in a classroom or meeting, and your mind suddenly drifts away. You are looking at the speaker, but you aren’t hearing anything they say. When a person becomes inattentive, distracted, or starts daydreaming, we say they space out. This is a very common phrasal verb for describing a temporary mental absence.
What Does “Space Out” Mean?
The phrasal verb “space out” means to lose concentration or awareness of one’s surroundings; to become mentally detached or daydream. The term derives from the idea that one’s mind has drifted away into “space.” It usually refers to a temporary state of inattention, often caused by boredom, fatigue, or deep thought. The related noun is the descriptive phrase **spaced out** (adjective), meaning someone is distracted or unfocused.
When to Use It
You can use space out in casual settings when someone is clearly not paying attention.
- Meetings/Classes: During the long lecture, the students started to space out and look at their phones.
- Fatigue: I was so tired I completely spaced out and missed my exit on the highway.
- Boredom: The movie was so slow that I kept spacing out during the second half.
This phrase is informal and widely used.
Example Sentences
- Sorry, could you repeat that? I completely spaced out for a minute.
- She tends to space out when doing repetitive tasks, like washing dishes.
- If you find yourself starting to space out during study time, take a short break.
- He was standing there looking completely spaced out (adjective), staring at the wall.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you hear what the manager just said about the new deadline?”
Jamie: “Oh no, I totally spaced out. What did I miss?”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use “space out” to describe an intentional mental break like meditation. It implies unintentional distraction.
❌ Don’t: “I need to space out for ten minutes to clear my mind before work.” (This is incorrect. Use “relax” or “take a break.”)
✅ Do: “He couldn’t focus; he just kept spacing out during the online lecture.” (This means he was unintentionally distracted.)
Practice Tip
Think of a situation where you were really bored. Write one sentence describing how you tried not to space out but failed.
Final Note
Using space out is a natural and casual way to describe a momentary lapse in attention. Practice this phrase to talk about distraction and focus!
