When someone has their ‘head in the clouds‘, it means they are daydreaming or not paying attention to what’s happening around them because they are lost in their own thoughts or fantasies. Your mind tends to wander randomly rather than remaining focussed on what you are doing. You may be very imaginative, perhaps quite creative, but you will not be very practical.
Example
He met his girlfriend on campus and he’s had his head in the clouds all semester.
Have you got your head in the clouds? Can we try to focus during class, please?
When it comes to community safety, the government has got their head in the clouds. They don’t have the proper policies in place to protect the people.
Quiz
What is an Idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that usually presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase. Idioms are not just used in conversations – they’re also very common in literature, movies, and music. We utilize them to convey a message in a concise and effective manner, and often have deep cultural or historical significance. They help to create a vivid and memorable image in the minds of the audience.
Idioms are difficult because they do not mean what they literally state. Communication challenges emerge when you translate an idiom in your language; it will not make sense or if it does make sense you may miss the intended meaning.
How to Study Idioms
- Read them. Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, online articles for exposure in written material.
- Watch them. Watch TV shows and movies in English! There are so many streaming services available for you to choose from. Listen attentively and try to understand the context in which they are used.
- Use them. Talk to native speakers and try to incorporate common idioms into your conversations. Try using them during conversations with friends, family, coworkers, or through text.
- Practice. Practice. Practice. Remember that you can’t learn all of them! So start with a few that you understand and build your library of idioms from there!
