twilight zoning

Verb (1)

twilight zone (third-person singular simple present twilight zones, present participle twilight zoning, simple past and past participle twilight zoned)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive, transitive) To put or place into an indeterminate position; to be in an ambiguous, undetermined, or improper context.
   • Sometimes I think she's really a gym teacher twilight-zoned into the corridors of government. I'm always surprised to see that it's a gold, clipless Cross pen she's carrying and not a gym whistle.1989, Jack Kendall, Playing for Keeps
2. (idiomatic, transitive) To cause to daydream or zone out; to cause to lose attention to one's surroundings.
   • "I've been distant and into myself all night," I said. "The kids say I get twilight zoned."1997, James Patterson, Cat & Mouse

Verb (2)

twilight zone (third-person singular simple present twilight zones, present participle twilight zoning, simple past and past participle twilight zoned)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To experience or perceive something bizarre or fantastic.
   • Then a gnome like white haired lady, bent like a human question mark, lurched toward me and asked if I was the mailman. [...] I was Twilight Zoning.2016, Bill Roddey, Making ID TV's 'Too Pretty to Live' Crime Show Starring Me
2. (idiomatic, intransitive) To behave or occur in a confusing or unexpected manner.
   • The service is likely from a bad twilight zone episode. [...] I did get what I required but I had to ask lots of questions as the communication was Twilight Zoning often.2011, David H., Beddington Registry Service review, Yelp

See all 9 meanings of twilight zone