in orbit
1. Traveling around a celestial body. The planets are moving in orbit around the sun, right? Once the satellite is in orbit, it will be able to provide precise topographical data in real time. Yes, the International Space Station is in orbit around planet Earth.
2. Extremely happy. Penny's been in orbit since getting engaged last week. I don't think she's stopped smiling once! Of course the kids are in orbit—as of noon today, they're out of school for the summer. When I saw my favorite band perform live, I was in orbit from beginning to end.
3. slang Intoxicated or high. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really in orbit! Well, I must have been in orbit if I got up and did karaoke at the bar last night! Help him get home, will ya? He started drinking whiskey, and now he's in orbit.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*in orbit
1. Lit. [of something] circling a heavenly body. (*Typically: be ~; put something [into] ~.) The moon is in orbit around the earth. They put the satellite into orbit.
2. Fig. ecstatic; thrilled; emotionally high. (*Typically: be ~.) Jane is in orbit about her new job. John went into orbit when he got the check in the mail.
3. Inf. intoxicated. After having six drinks all to herself, Julie was in orbit.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
in orbit
Thrilled, delighted, as in Dean's in orbit over his son's success. This expression alludes to the successful launching into orbit of a satellite or other spacecraft. [Slang; late 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
in orbit
1. mod. ecstatic; euphoric. She was just in orbit when she got the letter.
2. mod. alcohol or drug intoxicated. Gary is in orbit and can’t see a hole in a ladder.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.