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space
breathing space
1. A sufficient buffer of time or space that allows for freedom of movement or relief from a given source of pressure or stress. My yearly bonus always affords us a little bit of breathing space for the Christmas expenses. Please move back and give us some of breathing space here. The professor extended the deadline for our midterm papers, so I've got a bit of breathing space to get it finished.
2. A pause to rest or to think over something. Give me a minute, I just need a little breathing space while I figure this out.
free space
In physics, an area of space that has no gravitational or electromagnetic fields. I totally failed that physics test on free space.
space cadet
A person considered out of touch with reality. I tried having a serious conversation with her, but she's such a space cadet that I gave up after a few minutes of hearing her ramble on about my aura.
be a waste of space
slang To be blatantly unhelpful or useless. This phrase is often applied to people as a derogatory term. Boy, he's a waste of space, standing around while the rest of us all move furniture. The old monitor doesn't work anymore, so at this point it's just a waste of space. Let's trash it.
safe space
A place where one will not encounter mistreatment, discrimination, and, in some cases, words or activities that could trigger reminders of past psychological trauma. The campus needs a safe space for the LGBTQ community. Is there a safe space for trauma victims to go after that lecture on human trafficking?
space out
to become giddy or disoriented. Judy spaced out during the meeting and I didn't understand a word she said. I have a tendency to space out at the end of a hard day.
space someone out
to cause someone to become giddy. The circus clowns just spaced me out. The hilarious spectacle spaced out the entire audience.
take up space
and take up roomto fill or occupy space. (Note the variations in the examples.) The piano is taking up too much room in our living room. John, you're not being any help at all. You're just taking up space.
waste of space
something that is completely without value. The wrecked furniture in here is just a waste of space. This broken-down car is a waste of space!
a space cadet
(humorous) a strange or crazy person I wouldn't trust him with the children - he's a real space cadet.
See Watch this spacebe a waste of space
(informal) if you say that someone is a waste of space, you mean that they do not do anything useful and you do not like them Her husband's a complete waste of space.
Watch this space.
something that you say which means that you think there will soon be exciting changes in a situation I have plans for my career. Watch this space.
breathing space
1. Room or time in which to breathe, as in In that crowded hall, there was hardly any breathing space. Previously this term was put as breathing room. [Mid-1600s]
2. A rest or pause. For example, I can't work at this all day; I need some breathing space. This usage replaced the earlier breathing while. [Mid-1600s]
space out
Stupefy or disorient, as if or from a drug. For example,
This medication spaces me out so I can't think clearly, or
I wonder what those kids are on-they look totally spaced out. [1960s] Also see
zone out.
take up space
Also,
take up room or time . See
take up, def. 6.
space out
v.1. To organize or arrange some things or some people with spaces between: The tournament organizers spaced the matches out so that players would have time to rest. The police officers spaced themselves out along the parade route.
2. To stupefy or disorient someone from or as if from a drug: The medicine spaces me out so I can't think clearly. The summer heat tends to space out the students and makes it difficult to teach.
3. To lose awareness of one's surroundings: I stared out the window and spaced out for an hour.
4. To lose concentration or become inattentive: I was supposed to meet her at 9:00, but I spaced out and didn't get there till 10:30.
space cadet
1. n. a person who is always silly or giddy. Here comes a space cadet who looks like he has more money than he needs.
2. n. a person who is always high on drugs. The space cadets can usually be found sitting on a bench outside the principal’s office.
space out
1. n. a giddy person. (Usually space-out.) Terry is becoming such a space-out!
2. and space in. to become giddy; to become disoriented. She is spacing again. She doesn’t even know where she is.
space
verbspace someone out
tv. to cause someone to become giddy. The whole business just spaced me out.