out of context
out of context
Lacking or removed from the surrounding words or event that gives something its complete, original, or genuine meaning. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. She said the quote had been taken out of context to make it look like she hated her own country, which she claims couldn't be further from the truth. It's hard to know what's going on in the picture when it's out of context like this. Of course you can spin any out-of-context quotation to suit your own agenda.
See also: context, of, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*out of context
[of an utterance or the report of an action] removed from the surrounding context of the event, thereby misrepresenting the intent of the utterance or report. (*Typically: be ~; lift something ~; quote someone or something ~; take something ~.) You took her remarks out of context! You're the dishonest person, not her!
See also: context, of, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- heads I win, tails you lose
- once in a lifetime
- a light touch
- a round robin
- round robin
- eleventh hour
- every woman for herself
- black market
- first hand
- neighbour