out of the blue —quite unexpectedly; without warning: I got an encouragement out of the blue in the form of an honorary degree from Berlin. See also: in blue / in the blue. out of a place • out of place out of a place—unemployed: Did you hear about Bob? He is out of a place , according to the human resources depart- ment. out of place—1. inappropriate; unacceptable: A man in a round hat is as out of place at a hunt as a man in a tweed suit at a ball. 2. = out of a place: It is an ancient custom for servants out of place to assemble, once a year, in some great town, for the purpose of being hired. out of it • well out of it out of it—1. excluded from the activities of those around one: I felt rather out of it in France because I can’t speak French. 2. not fully alert and aware of what is happening: Bill is really out of it today. Why can’t he pay attention? 3. (sl.) alcohol or drug intoxicated: He is simply, to use his own phrase, “out of it .” Whether drunk or very drunk, he seems to have long decided which questions he will answer. well out of it—1. = out of it 1: We decided to keep well out of it . However when the purge began, we were labeled an anti- revolution clique without any reason. 2. lucky to escape smth.: Stanley Bruce, having left a legacy of debt and deficit behind him, was happy to be well out of it . See also: beyond it / off it; not in it / not with it. out of line • out of one’s line out of line—1. set at an angle or placed off-center: If you don’t replace those parts, the wheels will get out of line , caus- ing excessive tire wear. 2. (of smb.’s behavior, etc.) uncommon; unacceptable: I thought your behavior at the meeting was a bit out of line . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase off line—(of computers) not connected to the Internet: Working off-line , complete the information requested within the application form and return via e-mail. out of one’s line—(also: not in one’s line) said of smth. un- suited to one’s capacity, taste, or interests: Versification is out of my line , else I should have had a try at it. out of mind • out of one’s mind out of mind—1. (in the phrase “time out of mind”) used of the distant past long forgotten: On those visits, he found peo- ple living a lifestyle that was time out of mind . 2. said of things completely forgotten: I got this information from an interview that I read many years ago, source now out of mind . out of one’s mind—(also: out of one’s head) crazy or behaving as if mad: The poor girl is completely out of her mind ! Just look at what she’s doing! out of one’s box • out of the box out of one’s box—(sl.) crazy or very drunk (also: off one’s box): If you think this book is good you must be out of your box . out of the box—(Austral. coll.) 1. said of smth. that can be put to immediate use: The industry has yet to sell a computer which can be used by a novice, straight out of the box . 2. very special or exceptional: You mustn’t run away with the notion that I’m anything out of the box in back-country conditions. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase outside the box—(in the phrase “think outside the box”) think in an original way (showing imagination, unusual approach, etc.): His marketing strategies are looking tired. We need someone who can think outside the box a little more. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase knocked out of the box—used of smth. ousted or replaced by smth. else: IBM was almost knocked out of the box by other types of computer software and manufacturing. See also: first time out of the box / just out of a bandbox. out of one’s head • out of one’s own head out of one’s head—1. (also: off one’s head) crazy or behaving as if mad: She was hysterical — Mike himself said she was out of her head ! 2. very drunk or intoxicated: By this time we were all tipsy but Peanut was out of his head . 3. unconscious; delirious: In the morning when Andrew Masters came to see how he felt, Pledger was half out of his head . 4. from one’s imagination or memory: I didn’t get the story from any book or magazine; I made it up out of my head . out of one’s own head— = out of one’s head 4: Were not all these answers given out of his own head ? out of one’s own pocket • out of pocket out of one’s own pocket—(of expenses) paid with one’s own money: Jimmy paid for everything—right down to office paper—out of his own pocket . out of pocket—1. having lost money on a deal: They refused to supply me with a replacement or refund my money, so I am out of pocket . 2. said of smb. who is unavailable or cannot be contacted: “He will be out of pocket for a few days,” Lay said. “I fully expect him to be back before the trial is over.” See also: in pocket / in the pocket. out of one’s sight • out of sight out of one’s sight—no longer visible; unseen: He was already out of my sight , but only a couple hundred feet ahead. out of sight—1. = out of one’s sight: They still stood there upon the rocks, waving till the ship was out of sight . 2. (coll., of prices) exorbitant: People found that home prices were out of sight even before they entered the housing market. 3. (sl.) used as a generalized expression of admiration: For an official person he’s absolutely out of sight . out of one’s time • out of time out of one’s time—1. thought to be born at a wrong historical period: Kellie was born out of his time . Last piece of history he could have flourished in was the Alaska rushes. 2. beyond one’s period of minority or apprenticeship: I have a great deal to ask you about America but I hope to come and see for myself when I am out of my time . 3. with no more time left: I am out of my time , Mr. Chairman. I do not know whether you want to let the rest of the panel continue or not. out of time —1. (also: off time) not following the rhythm cor- rectly (when playing a piece of music, etc.): His little party had posted themselves at every corner to feign a more numer- ous applause: but clapped out of time . 2. = out of one’s time 1: So often it seems that some literary person has been born out of time . 3. = out of one’s time 3: I am very sorry if we are out of time , but it seems vital that we have further information on this matter. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase out of hours—outside the usual hours of business or work: We don’t usually keep the lights on out of hours . b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase out of season—(also: off season) 1. (of animals) born in the wrong season: Jesse and his grandson caught a lamb which had been born out of season and David was permitted to hold it. 2. outside the period of time during which hunting or fishing is offi- cially allowed: Some people are particularly attracted to the flavor of “out of season ” venison, since it’s forbidden. 3. during a period of time other than the busiest or most popular for a par- ticular activity: Our cottages are available year round and “out of season ” prices are roughly half the peak summer rental. out-of-pocket money • pocket money out-of-pocket money—money that has to be paid: Most pro- – 259 – out-of-pocket money