- out of circulation
- out of circulation1. Lit. no longer available for use or lending. (Usually said of library materials, certain kinds of currency, etc.) •
I'm sorry, but the book you want is temporarily out of circulation.
•How long will it be out of circulation?
2. Fig. not interacting socially with other people. •I don't know what's happening because I've been out of circulation for a while.
•My cold has kept me out of circulation for a few weeks.
* * *{adj. phr.}, {informal} Not out in the company of friends, other people, and groups; not active; not joining in what others are doing. * /John has a job after school and is out of circulation with his friends./ Contrast: IN CIRCULATION.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.