be in orbit
1. To be circumnavigating a planet or other celestial body. The planets are 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. To be 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 To be intoxicated from drugs or alcohol. 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.
go into orbit
1. To begin to revolve around a celestial body, as of an object in outer space. Wow, it looks like that moon has gone into orbit. Once the satellite goes into orbit, it will be able to provide precise topographical data in real time. When did the International Space Station first go into orbit around Earth?
2. To enter a state of extreme agitation, panic, irritation, or anger. Oh man, I just go into orbit when someone doesn't use their turn signals on the road. I've always hated the dentist. I go into orbit just hearing the little whirr of the drill! Mom and Dad will definitely go into orbit when they see you're failing three classes!
3. To enter a state of great happiness. I totally went into orbit watching my favorite band perform live! Penny went into orbit when she got in engaged last week. I don't think she's stopped smiling once! Of course the kids have gone into orbit—as of noon today, they're out of school for the summer.
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.
into orbit
1. Into a state of extreme agitation, panic, irritation, or anger. Few things send me into orbit like someone who doesn't use their turn signals on the road. I've always hated the dentist. Just hearing the little whirr of the drill is enough to put me into orbit! Mom and Dad will definitely go into orbit when they see you're failing three classes!
2. Into a state of great happiness. Seeing the band perform put me into orbit from beginning to end. Well, getting engaged will send someone into orbit—as annoying as it is for us single people to witness. We all went into orbit when we heard that Grandma's cancer was in remission.
3. Into an extreme increase, especially a successful one. The popular ad sent sales into orbit. People who've spent time in law enforcement know that crime goes into orbit in the summertime. A lack of houses on the market can send prices into orbit.
put (someone or something) into orbit
1. Literally, to cause someone or something to begin circumnavigating a planet. The company has recently started putting its own satellites into orbit as a means of strengthening its GPS tracking solutions. As a part of the new study, they're going to put 12 astronauts into orbit for 365 days and measure the effect it has on their bodies and psyches.
2. To cause someone to become extremely happy. Seeing my favorite band perform live put me into orbit from beginning to end.
3. To cause something to increase to an extreme degree. The hugely popular ad has put sales of the product into orbit.
send (someone or something) into orbit
1. Literally, to cause someone or something to begin circumnavigating a planet. The company has recently started sending its own satellites into orbit as a means of strengthening its GPS tracking solutions. As a part of the new study, they're going to send 12 astronauts into orbit for 365 days and measure the effect it has on their bodies and psyches.
2. To cause someone to become extremely happy. Seeing my favorite band perform live sent me into orbit from beginning to end.
3. To cause something to increase to an extreme degree. The hugely popular ad has sent sales of the product into orbit.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go into orbit
1. Lit. [for a rocket, satellite, etc.] to rotate around a heavenly body in a fixed path. The satellite went into orbit just as planned. When did the moon go into orbit?
2. Fig. [for someone] to get very excited. (See also
go ballistic.)
She was so upset, she went into orbit. Todd went into orbit when he heard the price. *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.
orbit (around) someone or something
to circle around something in an orbit. The flies orbited around Fred and his ice-cream cone. Many satellites orbit around our planet.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.