brown study
1 of 1noun/ˈbraʊn ˈstʌdi/
Forms:brown studies
1
a state in which one is very deep in thought and not aware of one's surroundings
The idiom "brown study" has its origins in Middle English, where the term "brown" was used to describe something that was gloomy, dull, or obscure. In this context, a "brown study" referred to a state of deep contemplation or daydreaming, often characterized by someone being lost in their thoughts. It is used to describe a state of deep, often absentminded contemplation or daydreaming in which a person becomes absorbed in their thoughts.
- During the lecture, I found myself in a brown study, thinking about unrelated matters instead of paying attention.
- Sitting by the river, he went into a brown study, contemplating life's mysteries and his own future.
- When she's in a brown study, it's challenging to get her attention; she becomes completely absorbed in her own world.
- While waiting for the bus, he often slips into a brown study, imagining distant places and adventures.