‘Out of Your Mind’: Definition, Meaning and Examples

Did someone say that you're 'out of your mind' and you’re wondering what it means? In this article, we’ll take a look at the meaning, origin, examples, and more.

If someone tells you that you're 'out of your mind,' it means that you're crazy. This is a common phrase that is usually meant in a light-hearted, humorous way.

What Does 'Out of Your Mind' Mean?

To be 'out of one's mind' means to be crazy or insane.

You'll often hear the phrase prefaced with the word 'go,' as in 'go out of one's mind.' In this case, it means to become insane or to lose one's mental stability.

This phrase is often used in a humorous way. It is a common way that people will exaggerate when they are making a point.

For example, if you are feeling restless at work, you might say:

"I'm going to go 'out of my mind' if I have to sit here for another hour."

'Out of mind' might sound very similar, but it has a different meaning. This is also a common idiom. This means that something has been forgotten. If something is 'out of sight, out of mind, ' it means that it's easy to forget about something when it's not right in front of you.

Other Meanings of the Phrase

In different contexts, 'out of your mind' can have slightly different meanings.

For example, you could say that you can't get someone 'out of your mind.'

• This means that you can't stop thinking about them.

You could also say that you put something 'out of your mind.'

• This means that you are no longer thinking about that topic.

Where Does 'Out of Your Mind' Come From?

According to both the Online Etymology Dictionary and Dictionary.com, the phrase 'out of your mind' dates back to the late 14th century.

Etymology of 'Mind'

The word 'mind' dates back to the late 12th century from the Old English word gemynd.

• This word had the meaning of "thought, purpose; memory, remembrance; intellect, conscious mind, intention."

The use of the word 'mind' to mean "the thinking process, mental faculty" comes from around 1300.

The Idiom in Print

Using the Google Books Ngram Viewer, we see that the variations of this phrase have been in use since at least the 1800s.

An example from 1813 appears in Corbett's Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason:

"Do you remember any instance where I appeared to be out of my mind, and what? -- I remember that all of a sudden he took it into his head that he should be capable of impeaching a family settlement that he had long acquiesced under, and by which he was only tenant for life of his estate; and though he had advised with many lawyers upon the occasion, and they were all of opinion that it was impossible he could succeed, yet he persisted in his resolution of bringing a suit to destroy that settlement..."

Another example appears in the same collection of trials documents:

"John Davis was examined, and said, he had known the prisoner 15 years; that he used to be out of his mind in the night, and heard him make a noise inwardly; and that he was often strapped down; but being cross-examined by the Attorney General, he admitted that his being strapped down was to prevent him from walking in his sleep; and that the prisoner used to help to fix t he straps, which in the morning he used to unloose himself."

For a third example, we look to an article called "A Girl In Her Right Mind" in the fourteenth volume of Youth's Companion, published in 1840:

When she came home, she told me what her mistress had read, and how the children laughed; then she began to talk out of her mind; she is better now, but she is taken so every day. All our neighbors say she is out of her mind; she says she is a sinner, and a great one too; I have not told the mistress of it, for I know she will be sorry she has done it."

Examples of 'Out of Your Mind' In Sentences

How would 'out of your mind' be used in a sentence?

Let’s take a look at some examples:

• "My coworker is out of his mind. He wakes up at 4 am to go to the gym and is the first one in the office. At the end of the day, he's the last to leave. He's a total work-a-holic!"
• "This class is going to make me go out of my mind. When you add up the long classes, the required reading, and the assignments, I'm not sure when I'm supposed to eat and sleep."
• "I love traveling, but I think you're crazy to try and go to Disney World during the busiest weekend of the year. The crowds and the heat alone are going to make you go out of your mind."
• "There's a guy that comes into the store every day that is seriously out of his mind. I feel bad for him, but he also causes quite a disturbance and doesn't even buy anything."
• "All they do is lay around on the couch and watch TV. Wasting time like that would make me personally go out of my mind."
• "I swear everyone at my office is out of their minds."

Other Ways to Say 'Out of Your Mind'

What are some other words and phrases that have a similar meaning to 'out of your mind'?

Here are some options:

• Off one's rocker
• Lost one's marbles
• Out to lunch
• One brick short of a load
• Gone cuckoo

Final Thoughts About ‘Out of Your Mind’

'Out of one's mind' is a phrase that means that someone is crazy. It's often used in a humorous, light-hearted way. If someone tells you that you're 'out of your mind,' it's typically meant as a statement of exaggeration and not a sincere accusation of insanity.

Are you ready to learn more English phrases and expand your vocabulary? Be sure to check out our idioms blog for idioms, expressions, sayings, and more!