Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[JohnC]

Which one is correct?

Mary is out to lunch.
Mary is out for lunch.

And if both are correct; is there a difference?

Thanks for your help.

[Sirius]

Out to lunch is an expression that means the person is crazy.

Safer to use "out for lunch"

[JohnC]

Thank you for your reply.

The reason I asked this question is because I sometimes see in English language textbooks with "..out for lunch." But in real life, I often see signs hanging on doors of businesses or offices that say "Out To Lunch."

Thus the confusion as to which is correct....