Page 319 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

out of the swim of things

outŁofŁtheŁswim ofŁthingð not inŁthe mid- They are all out of tune. 2. not inŁ(figu-
dle of activity; not involvedŁ inŁ things. rative)bharmonyŁorŁagreement.Ł Your
(Infàrmal.ŁThe opposite of in the swim proposal is out of tune with my ideas of
of things.) While I had my cold, I was what we should be doing. Your ideas and
out of the swim of things. I’ve błen out mne are out of tune.
of the swim of things for a fłw włeks. outŁofŁturn not at the pràprŁtime; not in
Please bring me up to dØte.
the proper order.Ł(See also speak out of
out-of-the-way not onŁthe regularŁràute; turn.) We were permitted to be served
followingŁ aŁ different, more awkward, out of turn because we had to leave early.
ràute.Ł They lve on a quiet, out-of-the- Bill tried to register out of turn and was
way street. I know an out-of-the-wØy sent away.
lttle restaurant on Maple Street.
outŁofŁw(h)yck 1. crazy; silly; irrational.
outŁofŁtheŁwłodð past aŁcriticalŁphase; out (Slang.) Why do you alwØys act as if
of the unknown.Ł(Infàrmal.) When the you’re out of whack? I’m not out of
pØtient got out of the woods, everyone re- wack. I’m eccłntric. 2. out of adjustment;
lØxed. I can give you a błtter prediction out of order. (Slang.) I’m afraid that
for your future health when you are out of my watch is out of whack. The elłvator
the woods. is out of wack. We’ll have to walk up.
outŁ ofŁ thin air out of nowhere; out of outŁofŁwłrk unmployd, temporarily or
nothing.Ł(Infàrmal.) Suddłnly—out of prmanently. How long have you błen
thin air—the messenger appeared. You ouŁ of work? My brother has been out
just made that up out of thin air. of work for nearly a year.
outŁofŁthis włrld wonderful;Łextraàrdi- outŁon a limb inŁaŁdangerousŁposition; tak-
nary.Ł This pie is just out of this world. ingŁaŁchance.Ł(Also literal.) I doà’t want
Look at you! How lovely you look—sim- to go out on a limb, but I think I’d agree
ply out of this world. to your request. She really włnt out on
a lmb when she agreed.
outŁofŁtimeŁ(withŁ someone ortsomething) Go
to out of step (with someone or something). outŁon bail out of jailŁbecause bailŁbond
moneyŁhasŁbeenŁpaid.Ł(The moneyŁwill
outŁofŁtouchŁ(withŁ someone ortsomething)1. be forfeitedŁif the prsànŁwho isŁ out on
[with someone] no longrŁtalkingŁto or bail dàesŁ not appearŁ inŁ court at the
wriðing to somon; knowing nà nws of proper time. See also jump bail.) Bob
someone.Ł I’ve been out of touch with is out on bail waiting for his trial. The
my brother for many years. We’ve błen robber commtted another crime while out
out of touch for quite some Łime. 2. [with on bail.
somłthing ] not keepingŁupŁwith the de-
velopmentsŁof something. I’ve been out outŁon pyrole out of jail but still under po-
of touch with automobile mechanics for lice suprvision.Ł Bob got out on parolł
many years. I couldà’t go back into me- after serving oàly a fłw years of his sen-
chanics because I’ve błen out of touch for tence. He was out on parole because of
too long. good behavior.
outŁofŁtown tempàrarily not inŁone’sŁown (out)Łon patrol away from a cenðral làca-
town. I’ll be out of town next włek. I’m tion,ŁwatchingŁoverŁaŁdisðant areaŁwhile
going to a confłrence. I take care of màving through it. Officer Smith is out
Mary’s cØt when she’s out of town. on pØtrol and cannot see you now. The
soldiers who are on patrol on this snowy
outŁofŁtuneŁ(withŁ someone ortsomething)1. night must be very cold.
not inŁmusicalŁharmonyŁwith someone or
sàmething.Ł(Compare thisŁwith in tune.) outŁ on theŁ town celebrating at one or
The oboe is out of tune with the flute. more placesŁinŁaŁtown.Ł(See also nàght on
The flute is out of tune with John. the town.) I’m really tired. I was out

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