Behavior & Approach - Not Paying Attention

Master English idioms that relate to not paying attention, like "asleep at the wheel" and "brown study".

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to get one's mind off something

to distract someone's attention or thoughts away from something, typically something stressful, worrisome, or unpleasant

[phrase]

$Definition & Meaning of \"to [get|take|keep] {one's} mind off {sth}\"$

brown study

a state in which one is very deep in thought and not aware of one's surroundings

[noun]

$Definition & Meaning of \"brown study\"$

to give somebody or something a once-over

to examine a thing or person very quickly

[phrase]

$Definition & Meaning of \"to [give] {sb/sth} (a|the) once-over\"$

if it was a snake, it would have bitten you

said to mean that what a person is searching for is right where they are, but they have failed to notice it

[sentence]

$Definition & Meaning of \"if (it|this) (was|were) a snake, it would have bitten you\"$

XYZ

used to tell someone that the zipper of their pants is open

[sentence]

$Definition & Meaning of \"XYZ\"$

(head) in the clouds

used to say that a person is thinking about things that are unrealistic or impractical

[phrase]

$Definition & Meaning of \"(head|) in the clouds\"$

asleep at the wheel

not paying attention or not doing one's job properly, often resulting in mistakes or negative consequences

[phrase]

$Definition & Meaning of \"asleep at the wheel\"$