be in sync (with someone or something)

1. To happen, function, or move at the same time and pace as someone or something; to be simultaneous. Every soldier in the squad was perfectly in sync while marching. Is it just me, or is the audio not in sync with the movie? It's called "synchronized diving," people! The whole point is to be in sync with your fellow diver, doing the same moves at the same time!

2. To share the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc. with someone; to have the same or similar perspectives or opinions as someone. Throughout the date, it just seemed like she and I were totally in sync about everything we brought up. If your team isn't in sync with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done. A: "Is there hope? Will I ever be in sync with my mother-in-law?" B: "Give it time, dear."

be out of sync (with someone or something)

1. To stop happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something else; to be in an unsynchronized or uncoordinated manner. If your teammates are out of sync, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done correctly and on time. If the coolant system is out of sync with the energy output, it could lead to a core meltdown. The soldiers got in trouble because they were out of sync while marching.

2. To not share the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc.; to have different or dissimilar perspectives or opinions. I don't think I'll go out with her again. It just seemed like we were out of sync on every topic. If your team is out of sync with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done. A: "They're engaged, and yet they're totally out of sync on most issues, from having kids to staying on the East Coast." B: "Yikes, they're doomed."

get in sync (with someone or something)

1. To start happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something; to become simultaneous. Hey, get in sync with your fellow soldiers! How can we make the audio get in sync with the movie? It's called "synchronized diving," people! You need to be able to get in sync with your fellow diver and do the same moves at the same time!

2. To share the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc. with someone; to have the same or similar perspectives or opinions as someone. Throughout the date, it just seemed like she and I got totally in sync about everything we brought up. If your team doesn't get in sync with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done. A: "Is there hope? Will I ever get in sync with my mother-in-law?" B: "Give it time, dear."

get out of sync (with someone or something)

To stop happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something else; to be in an unsynchronized or uncoordinated manner. If your teammates have gotten out of sync, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done correctly and on time. If the coolant system gets out of sync with the energy output, it could lead to a core meltdown. Those soldiers were punished because they got out of sync while marching.

in sync (with someone or something)

1. Happening, functioning, or moving at the same time and pace as someone or something; simultaneously. Every soldier in the squad marched perfectly in sync. Is it just me, or is the audio not in sync with the movie? It's called "synchronized diving," people! The whole point is to be in sync with your fellow diver, doing the same moves at the same time!

2. Sharing the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc. with someone; having the same or similar perspectives or opinions as someone. Throughout the date, it just seemed like she and I were totally in sync about everything we brought up. If your team isn't in sync with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done. A: "Is there hope? Will I ever be in sync with my mother-in-law?" B: "Give it time, dear."

out of sync (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). The soldiers got in trouble for being out of sync while marching. Is it just me, or is the audio out of sync with the movie?

2. Not sharing the same or similar goals, ideals, desires, likes, dislikes, etc.; having the different or dissimilar perspectives or opinions. I don't think I'll go out with her again. It just seemed like we were out of sync on every topic. If your team is out of sync with one another, you're going to have a hard time getting this project done.

sync up

1. To function or operate at the exact same time and rate as something else. ("Sync," or less commonly "synch," is short for "synchronize.") I'm trying to get these lights to sync up so that they don't alternate when they blink. The audio and visuals of this video don't sync up quite right.

2. To cause two or more things to function or operate at the exact same time and rate. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "sync" and "up." We need to sync up the motors perfectly or the entire system will fail. Everyone sync your watches up so we know exactly how much time we have left on the mission.

3. To achieve parity of content with something else. If you sign in with the same account on both devices, they will sync up automatically while connected to the Internet. I have these files saved to the cloud, but they're not syncing up on my computer for some reason.

4. To cause two or more things to achieve parity of content. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "sync" and "up." Our digital could storage solution allows you to sync up all your pictures, files, contacts, and other data up across an unlimited number of devices for a low monthly fee. IT has already synced the computers up in the new office, so there's no need to transfer any data when we start on Monday.

5. To coordinate with someone else so that all parties have the same plan, information, schedule, etc. OK, let's get together this weekend with all our notes so we can sync up one last time before the trial on Monday. Be sure to sync up with Mary so you're both on the same page about your responsibilities.

*out of sync

uncoordinated; unsynchronized. (An abbreviation for synchronization. *Typically: be ~; get ~.) Our efforts are out of sync. My watch and your watch are out of sync.

See also: of, out, sync

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.

in sync

If two things are in sync, they match or happen together as they should. Note: `Sync' is sometimes spelled `synch'. They swayed back and forth, more or less in sync with the music. Mr D and Mr B nodded perfectly groomed grey heads in sync.

out of sync

If two things are out of sync, they do not match or do not happen together as they should. Note: `Sync' is sometimes spelled `synch'. Normally, when demand and supply are out of sync, you either increase the supply, or you adjust the price mechanism. I think this decision is out of sync with reality.

See also: of, out, sync

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

in (or out of) sync

working well (or badly) together; in (or out of) agreement.

Sync (or synch ) is an informal abbreviation of synchronization .

1997 Sunday Times The most serious obstacle is the fact that the British economy's cycle is out of sync with Europe.

in/out of ˈsync

(informal) moving or working/not moving or working at exactly the same time and speed as somebody/something else: The soundtrack is not in sync with the picture. ♢ Can we try that part of the dance again? I think we were out of sync.

Sync is a short form of synchronization.

See also: of, out, sync

sync up

or synch up

To coordinate something with something else so that they operate at the same rate and in correspondence with each other: The film editor synced up the sound and video. I synced the file on my home computer up with the more recent file on my laptop. The sound on my TV doesn't sync up with the video.

out of sync

(...sɪŋk)

mod. uncoordinated; unsynchronized. My watch and your watch are out of sync.

See also: of, out, sync

in phase

In a correlated or synchronized way.

out of phase

In an unsynchronized or uncorrelated way.