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zone out vs spaced out

Both 'zone out' and 'spaced out' are correct phrases in English. They are informal expressions used to describe a state of distraction or absent-mindedness. The choice between them is a matter of personal preference or regional usage.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 590 views

zone out

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts to describe a state of distraction or absent-mindedness.

It means to lose concentration or focus on what is happening around you. It is often used in casual conversations or when talking about being mentally absent.

Examples:

  • I tend to zone out during long meetings.
  • She zoned out while watching TV.
  • Don't zone out while driving.
  • I always zone out when I'm tired.
  • He tends to zone out when he's stressed.
  • Nice graphics and soothing music will help you zone out for awhile.
  • So I think maybe by the time it gets to the end of the day I just want to really zone out and do something totally comforting.
  • People listen to me and they zone out... bored.
  • It was a war zone out there, Malaya.
  • It's a battle zone out there.
  • The numbers just make you want to zone out.
  • Perhaps you could flood the zone out there.
  • It's a war zone out there.
  • 'Cause you know how I zone out when other people talk.
  • The stalkers know there's 400 square blocks of game zone out there... and anything can happen in the next three hours.
  • Sometimes he starts to talk to me, and I just sort of zone out.
  • I'm the last to subscribe to this stuff, but you were in the zone out there.
  • See when that happens I just zone out and stare at the air hostesses.
  • Honestly, I just zone out every time girls start talking about this stuff.
  • It was the one thing I could zone out and do without thinking.
  • I know the gist, but I always kind of zone out when people start to tell me about their dreams.
  • You click on the wrong button, misread the lobby, or simply zone out.
  • I don't like it when you zone out and stare like that.
  • Like Jimmy said, it's a cool way to zone out.
  • See when that happens I just zone out and stare at the air hostesses.

Alternatives:

  • space out
  • drift off
  • daydream
  • lose focus
  • become distracted

spaced out

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts to describe a state of distraction or absent-mindedness.

It means to be in a state of mental disconnection or to be unaware of one's surroundings. It is often used interchangeably with 'zone out.'

Examples:

  • She looked like she was spaced out during the lecture.
  • I spaced out and missed what he said.
  • Don't space out while I'm talking to you.
  • He tends to space out when he's bored.
  • I feel like I'm spacing out after a long day.
  • The true meaning of "spaced out" is stupefied, dazed and disoriented.
  • Then... maybe words like "spaced out" too?
  • Two or more TCA peels may be needed to obtain the desired result, and those may be spaced out over several months.
  • Heavy usage makes you passive, tired and your mind is really spaced out and you just don't really care about anything...
  • Hiking along the Val delle Mure is a pleasurable experience immersed as it is in splendid beech woods spaced out around fields and mountain huts.
  • Closed between medieval walls still well preserved, spaced out by semicircular towers and interrupted only in correspondence with the gates, the Borgo di Finale immediately offers the visitor a feeling of protection and gathering.
  • Then, the central area will offer comfortable chaises longues, from where you can enjoy the projection on the screens, spaced out by shows of 'son et lumière'.
  • Treatment of the construction joints, estimated according to the Works Management's indications, with the insertion of two metallic outlines joined and spaced out by elastic.
  • One of the most striking changes in Google's new Gmail design is how spaced out everything now appears (man, those message lines are huge!).
  • What's with "spaced out"?
  • The controls are spaced out well so it's easy to use all of the controls and I had no complaints with them at all.
  • The IRIS short necklace is made with soft cotton bands in open-weave fabric, like jute, and rings in anodized aluminium, gold or silver colored, alternating matt and shiny, spaced out by the same fabric knots.
  • In 1557 the Grand Duke achieved the official possession of that fortified town, equipped by a ring of walls spaced out by three fortress, one of them was placed nearby the harbour.
  • She wanted the word LOVE painted on the parasol, but wanted it spaced out differently than we normally would. I just love how it turned out.
  • And you spaced out.
  • Sorry, I spaced out there.
  • Sorry. I just spaced out there for a second.
  • And, I guess, amidst all the craziness today I just spaced out about lunch.
  • Soon they also heard the knocks on the walls which continued at spaced out intervals.
  • I should have spaced out his vaccinations.

Alternatives:

  • zone out
  • drift off
  • daydream
  • lose focus
  • become distracted

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