Idioms

with the fairies

away with the fairies

Seeming eccentric, distracted, or slightly crazy. I can't follow what your mom is talking about—it's like she's away with the fairies all of a sudden. OK, you're away with the fairies if you think you'll be able to sell bees as pets! That man talking to himself on the corner—do we think he's away with the fairies?
See also: away, fairy

off with the fairies

Eccentric, distracted, or slightly crazy. I can't follow what your mom is talking about—it's like she's off with the fairies all of a sudden. I was always lost in daydreams and imaginary worlds when I was a kid. Everyone thought I was off with the fairies.
See also: fairy, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

(away) with the fairies

giving the impression of being mad, distracted, or in a dreamworld.
See also: fairy
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in classic literature
The best proof of this was his caution with the fairies. They were most anxious that he should remain in the Gardens to play to them, and to bring this to pass they tried to trick him into making such a remark as "I wish the grass was not so wet," and some of them danced out of time in the hope that he might cry, "I do wish you would keep time!" Then they would have said that this was his second wish.
View in context
ALNWICK Garden will be hoping its latest idea is now "away with the fairies" after creating its very own magical fantasy world.
Fairy tales fun in the Garden
Janice Gough is quite literally away with the fairies.
The nurse who gave up her job .. to be a fairy; EXCLUSIVE: MEET THE MUM WHO TURNED HER FANTASY INTO A MONEY-SPINNING BUSINESS
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