be in vacation mode

informal To be in a relaxed, carefree state resulting or as resulting from being on a break from work or school. Primarily heard in US. The first week of school after the summer break is usually a write-off, as most students are still in vacation mode. A: "How's it going, Jim?" B: "Just trying to stay focused before I leave for Florida on Friday. I'm kind of in vacation mode already." I was so stressed out from work that it took me a couple of days on the beach before I was really in vacation mode.