What it means
Means someone’s daydreaming or zoned out, staring through you like their brain’s gone on a wee holiday. You say it when a mate’s not listening, forgetting obvious stuff, or just drifting off mid-chat. It’s usually said with a bit of affection or gentle slagging, not full-on offence. Handy for that Monday morning look.
Usage examples
"I asked yer man what time the meeting was and he just blinked at me. Proper away with the fairies, like he’d missed the whole craic."
"I asked him three times and got no answer, he was completely away with the fairies."
"She is lovely but a bit away with the fairies, always losing her keys and her train of thought."
"You could see he was away with the fairies all through the briefing, nodding along and not taking in a single word."
"Don’t mind her, she’s just away with the fairies today, staring out the window like her thoughts have gone for a wee wander."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
This one comes from old Irish and British fairy lore. In those stories, fairies could spirit a person away or leave them wandering in a dazed, half-present state. That’s how it slid into everyday speech for someone who looks mentally miles off, dreamy, vacant, or not fully tuned in.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.