the lights are on but nobody's home

The lights are on, but nobody's home

A humorous expression used to say that someone is stupid or not paying attention, perhaps because they are not responding to what one is saying. Hello, Pete? Earth to Pete. The lights are on, but nobody's home.See also: but, home, lights

the lights are on but nobody's home

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the lights are on but no one's home

INFORMALIf you say of someone that the lights are on but nobody's home, you mean that they are stupid or not reacting to what is happening. When I tell them anything, they look at me like the lights are on but nobody's home.See also: but, home, lights, on

the lights are ˈon but nobody’s ˈhome

(saying, humorous) used to describe somebody who is stupid, not thinking clearly or not paying attention: Don’t try discussing anything intelligent with Alice. The lights are on but nobody’s home, I’m afraid.See also: but, home, lights, on