in phase (with someone or something)
1. Happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something else; in a synchronized or coordinated manner (with someone or something). Primarily heard in UK. Every soldier in the squad marched perfectly in phase. Is it just me, or is the audio not in phase with the movie? They're synchronized swimmers—isn't the whole point for them to be in phase with each other?
2. Sharing the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc.; having the same or similar perspectives or opinions. Primarily heard in UK. Throughout the date, it just seemed like she and I were totally in phase about everything we brought up. If your team isn't in phase with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done. You'll probably never be entirely in phase with a candidate, but you still need to do your civic duty and vote.
out of phase (with someone or something)
1. Not or no longer happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something else; in an unsynchronized or uncoordinated manner (with someone or something). Primarily heard in UK. The soldiers got in trouble for being out of phase while marching. Is it just me, or is the audio out of phase with the movie?
2. Not sharing the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc.; having the different or dissimilar perspectives or opinions. Primarily heard in UK. I don't think I'll go out with her again. It just seemed like we were out of phase on every topic. If your team is out of phase with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in phase
Also,
in sync. In a correlated or synchronized way; in accord, in harmony. For example,
If everyone were in phase we could step up the schedule, or
John and Pat often say the same thing at the same time; their minds are perfectly in sync . Both versions of this idiom refer to physical phenomena. The first, dating from the second half of the 1800s, alludes to being at the same stage in a series of movements. The second, a slangy abbreviation of
synchronization dating from the mid-1900s, alludes to exact coincidence in the time or rate of movement. Also see
in step;
phase in; for the antonym, see
out of phase.
out of phase
Also,
out of sync. In an unsynchronized or uncorrelated way. For example,
Inventory control and shipping are out of phase, so we can't rely on their figures, or
The lights are out of sync and keep flashing at random. For dates, see the antonym
in phase.
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.