Literal Meaning:
* Physically absent: This implies the person is physically present, but their thoughts and attention are focused on something or somewhere else. They might be daydreaming, lost in thought, or preoccupied with a different matter.
Figurative Meaning:
* Distracted: The person is not fully engaged in the current situation. Their mind is wandering, suggesting a lack of focus or concentration.
* Uninterested: They may not be paying attention because they are bored, uninterested in the conversation, or simply not engaged in the activity at hand.
* Lost in thought: They could be pondering a problem, reminiscing about a past event, or planning for the future.
Examples:
* Literal: "He was supposed to be listening to the presentation, but his mind was somewhere else, probably thinking about his upcoming vacation."
* Figurative: "He was supposed to be paying attention during the meeting, but his mind was somewhere else, lost in a daydream about his latest hobby."
Overall: "His mind was somewhere else" is a common expression used to describe someone who is not fully present or engaged in a situation. It can have both literal and figurative interpretations depending on the context.