Quick answer: “Out of this world” means extraordinarily good, impressive, or delicious; excellent beyond normal expectation.
Out of this world — Extraordinarily good, impressive, or delicious; excellent beyond normal expectation.
Meaning
When something is described as “out of this world”, it is being praised as exceptionally good — so remarkable that ordinary words seem insufficient to describe it. The phrase is most commonly used for food, performances, views, and experiences, and it expresses genuine enthusiasm and delight rather than a literal claim about anything otherworldly.
The idiom is used across everyday conversation, restaurant and travel reviews, and enthusiastic descriptions of talent or beauty. It carries a warm, informal tone and is almost always used in a positive sense, making it a useful expression for learners who want to express strong approval.
Origin & Usage Note
The idiom relies on the image of something so extraordinary that it seems to exist beyond the boundaries of ordinary, earthly experience — as if it belonged to another world altogether. This kind of exaggerated, cosmic comparison for excellence became especially popular in English through the 20th century, a period when public interest in space travel and astronomy was growing rapidly, which likely helped popularise the phrase in everyday speech.
The idiom belongs to a small family of expressions that use grand, exaggerated imagery to express enthusiasm, alongside phrases like “over the moon” and “on cloud nine”. It is documented as a standard idiom in general references such as the Cambridge Dictionary.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The dessert at that restaurant was absolutely out of this world. | Food; expressing strong enjoyment |
| Her performance in the final scene was out of this world. | Theatre; praising an outstanding performance |
| The view from the summit was out of this world. | Travel; describing a breathtaking scene |
| His guitar solo was out of this world — the whole crowd went silent. | Music; praising exceptional skill |
| The service at the hotel was out of this world; nothing was ever too much trouble. | Hospitality; praising excellent customer service |
How to Use It
The idiom is typically used as a predicate after “be” (“it was out of this world”) to describe food, performances, views, or experiences. It fits naturally into spoken English, reviews, and enthusiastic storytelling. It would be unusual in strictly formal or technical writing, where precise, measured description would be expected instead.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
The traffic this morning was out of this world.
The traffic this morning was terrible. — “Out of this world” is used exclusively as strong positive praise, not to describe something bad or frustrating.
The soup tasted out of the world.
The soup tasted out of this world. — The fixed phrase uses “this world”, not “the world”.
He is out of this world about his new job.
He is over the moon about his new job. — “Out of this world” describes the quality of something, not a person's feeling of happiness; use “over the moon” for that meaning instead.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: Out of this world
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “out of this world” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “The dessert at that restaurant was absolutely _____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “out of this world” mean?
“Out of this world” means extraordinarily good, impressive, or delicious — so exceptional that it seems to go beyond normal, everyday standards. It is used to express strong admiration or enjoyment.
Where does the expression “out of this world” come from?
The idiom draws on the image of something so extraordinary that it seems to belong to another world entirely, beyond the ordinary experience of life on Earth. This kind of hyperbole, comparing excellence to something otherworldly or cosmic, became especially popular in English through the 20th century, particularly alongside growing public fascination with space and astronomy.
Can you give an example of “out of this world” in a sentence?
Here is an example: “The dessert at that restaurant was absolutely out of this world.” The idiom is used here to express that the food was exceptionally delicious.
Is “out of this world” formal or informal?
The idiom is informal to neutral. It is common in everyday conversation, restaurant reviews, and enthusiastic praise of experiences, performances, or products. It would be unusual in strictly formal or technical writing, where more measured language would be preferred.
What CEFR level is “out of this world”?
This idiom is typically encountered at B1 level. It is a common, easily visualised expression of enthusiasm that intermediate learners often meet when discussing food, performances, and experiences.
What are common mistakes with “out of this world”?
A common mistake is using the idiom to describe something negative or strange; it is used exclusively as strong positive praise. Another error is saying “out of the world” instead of the correct fixed form “out of this world”.
Can “out of this world” describe people as well as things?
Yes. It is common to describe a person's performance, talent, or appearance as “out of this world”, such as “her singing was out of this world”. It is less common, though still possible, to describe someone's personality directly with the phrase.
What is a similar idiom to “out of this world”?
Similar idioms include “the best thing since sliced bread” and “the cream of the crop”, both of which express that something or someone is exceptionally good, though each carries slightly different shades of meaning and typical use.
How do I practise idioms like “out of this world”?
LexFizz's Flip Tiles and Flash Cards exercises are excellent for practising English idioms in context. Try writing enthusiastic reviews of food, films, or trips using the idiom naturally.
Is “out of this world” used in both British and American English?
Yes. “Out of this world” is used and understood identically in both British and American English. It is a common, enthusiastic expression that appears regularly in reviews, conversation, and marketing language in both varieties.