Phrases and idioms are an important complement to the conversations we have in our day-to-day. Regardless of the situation or place in which we find ourselves, we can listen to the people who use them to express feelings or ideas. Therefore, we have to know what they mean and how they are used correctly in conversation or writing.
Having your head in the clouds is an expression used to refer to those people who are very clueless or distracted. Those people are unaware of what is happening around them because they are in their own world. Such people can be considered dreamers who get lost in their own thoughts.
What Is The Origin Of The Phrase “Having Your Head In The Clouds”?
The first use of this expression dates back to the middle of the seventeenth century (the mid-1600s). The exact origin of this phrase is unknown but it is assumed that it was used for the first time to refer to a creative person or a dreamer.
The concept of the phrase “having your head in the clouds” could not be inspired by aviation because at that time airplanes did not exist yet. For this reason, to think that people could reach the clouds sounded crazy or impossible. In other words, the ideas of this type of people were very far from reality or sounded far-fetched.
How Do People Use This Phrase Today?
At present, a person whose head is in the clouds is because they live immersed in their ideas and thoughts. People who are dreaming about everything they could do or who are fantasizing about things that are very likely to happen. Similarly, this idiom can refer to very creative people. Artists such as painters, writers, designers, among others, can fall into this category.
Imagine for a moment a poet who is taking a morning walk through a park and meets a couple of two elderly people who are manifesting love. This scene can inspire the poet to write some beautiful verses. The other people around you may be watching the poet with their head in the clouds, but in reality, they are immersed in the creative process. Thinking of every word that they can put together to recreate the love of an elderly couple in a park, in a beautiful poem.
It can also be used in the case of a person who is doing something but is not concentrating on it. This could lead to the result that the result is not as expected. An example would be that of a person who works in serving coffee and this is spilled because they are thinking about the things they have to do after they leave work. In the same way, it can happen to a person who is trying to do more than one thing at a time.
Example Of The Phrase In A Sentence
This phrase or expression can be used in many situations in daily life. For example:
- I can’t believe I missed my flight. What happens to me for having my head in the clouds at the time they called us to board the plane.
- My mom burned dinner again. I don’t understand what is wrong with her or why she has her head in the clouds these days.
- My husband always has his head in the clouds, because he always forgets to take the lunch I prepare for him.
- A: Why are you mad at me? B: Because you have your head in the clouds and you don’t pay attention to me.
- Maria failed algebra for having her head in the clouds when the teacher was explaining.
- She is a very clueless person, she always has her head in the clouds.
- A: Why are you late again? B: I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t find my keys. I have my head in the clouds because it is the third time that has happened to me today.
- You won’t believe what happened to me last night. I forgot to put out the candles and the house almost burned down. I had my head in the clouds.
- Pedro forgot to take his medicine again. I don’t understand how he forgets those things. He looks like he has his head in the clouds.
- Chris’s girlfriend is very upset because he forgot their anniversary again.
- Having your head in the clouds when you walk through busy streets is very dangerous, they could be run over.
- He is very quiet and thoughtful. He has his head in the clouds.
- For having your head in the clouds, someone sneaked into the line.
- If you don’t stop daydreaming and keeping your head in the clouds, you are going to miss out on many good opportunities in your life.
- Carlos is a creative person and always has his head in the clouds. He always comes up with good ideas.
- My friend always has his head in the clouds because he never understands my explanations.
- I am always late for work because I forget to set the alarm because I have my head in the clouds
- Carolina has her head in the clouds because she always forgets to close the front door, for that reason the dog always runs away.
- You spend your time dreaming of having a life of luxury, but you have to stop having your head in the clouds and start working to get what you want.
- If you think that you will pass all your subjects without studying, you have to stop having your head in the clouds right now and dedicate yourself to studying.
More English Idioms
Other Expressions That Have The Same Connotation As “Have Your Head In The Clouds”
- Being distracted. Example: Why are you always so distracted? You have to stop thinking so much.
- Being a daydreamer. Example: For being daydreaming, you almost got run over.
- Being clueless. Example: She is so clueless because she never notices anything.
- Being a fantasizer. Example: Carlos is a fantasizer, he likes to imagine that he lives on another planet.
- Being a romantic. You are a romantic because you are always writing love letters for your girlfriend.
- Being a castle-builder. Example: People who live on dreams are castle builders.
- Being an unrealistic person. Example: If you intend to earn money without working, then you are an unrealistic person.
- Being a Walter Mitty. Example: Stop being so Walter Mitty and dedicate yourself to working for your dreams.
- Being a pipe-dreamer. Example: Your ideas are not realistic, you are a pipe dreamer.
- Visionary person. Example: My father is a visionary man because he is always thinking about how to expand his business.
Other Expressions That Have The Opposite Meaning Of “Have Your Head In The Clouds”
- Keep/have your feet on the ground. Example: I always try to keep my feet on the ground and I have no illusions about anyone.
- Being doer. Example: My friend is a doer, he is always working on his projects.
- Being realistic. Example: My sister should be more realistic and not think that everyone is as good as her.
- Being productive. Example: Productive People are those who are successful in life.
- Having common sense. Example: Having common sense is the key to having good human relationships.
- Man/woman of action. Example: My mother is a woman of action, she does more than she says.
- Risk-taker. Example: People who take risks are the ones who achieve their goals the fastest because they are not afraid of losing and they always think about winning.
- Busy person. Example: My father is a very busy man because he spends all day working.
Is It Bad To Have Your Head In The Clouds?
Although most of the time this phrase is used to refer to those people who spend their day daydreaming and are always lost in their thoughts, having your head in the clouds is not bad at all. If we see it from the creative side, the people who use their imagination to work are the ones who take advantage of this mental state of being in the clouds. Writers need to be in their world of ideas to write their books, their songs, their stories, and so on. And not the writers, but also the designers, the sculptors, the painters, and also the musicians.
Now, we must realize when not having our feet on the ground can affect us. If you work in a place where you need to be focused on what you are doing, whether it is because the job involves handling delicate objects such as packages or driving on a busy road as a taxi driver, so you cannot afford to be in the clouds thinking about other things. In these cases, it is dangerous because it involves the belongings and the lives of others, respectively.
Conclusion
This phrase is quite versatile and useful on a day-to-day basis. But not just to refer to people who are distracted, daydreaming, or unrealistic and practical. This can also be used to refer to those people who are creative and who are visionary. Those people are always thinking about how to do a better job.
We can be dreamers and visionaries, but without neglecting our work and other obligations. So you can have your head in the clouds but try to keep your feet on the ground.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.