[Idiom] blanks out

[Selviya87]

Hi, all
I read The Marked Son by Shea Berkley and find this phrase (it's bolded below):
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[FONT=&quot]A guy blanks out for half a second[/FONT][FONT=&quot], and suddenly, we’re talking about soy? They’re not the kind of people who drink soy milk and eat tofu, I hope. Is this my last real meal before they bring out the granola?
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Does 'blank out' here have the same meaning with 'being confused'?


Thanks for your gracious explanation
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[catbert]

Normally it would mean the same thing as "drawing a blank" - which means having a temporary memory failure.

In this context, however, I think he meant that he was lost in thought for a moment or two, and wasn't paying attention to the conversation around him. I would have to see the preceding sentences to be sure.

 

[BobK]

Maybe it's a typo for 'blacks out'. For 'half a second' he is not following the conversation.

b

 

[catbert]

Maybe it's a typo for 'blacks out'. For 'half a second' he is not following the conversation.

I thought of that possibility as well. Can't be of any more help, though, until the OP returns to the thread.

 

[susiedq]

blanks out = mentally "left" the conversation due to being bored; not concentrating on what was being said.

 

[catbert]

blanks out = mentally "left" the conversation due to being bored; not concentrating on what was being said.

Yeah, except that that's not how the expression "blank out" is normally used. But I agree that this interpretation would make the most sense in the given context.

 

[Selviya87]

Hi, all

Sorry for the late reply. I had a problem with my internet connection.
These are the preceeding sentences:

I’m bored before Grandma takes her next breath. I pretend to pay attention, and instead, wonder how I’m going to survive this encounter. As I plan what classes I’ll need in order to graduate, I hear the words “rare,” “ancient breed,” and “soy.”

A guy blanks out for half a second, and suddenly, we’re talking about soy? They’re not the kind of people who drink soy milk and eat tofu, I hope. Is this my last real meal before they bring out the granola?


Perhaps it is not a typo for this text was copied directly from the e-book. And thank you all for your suggestions. I also agree that "blanks out = mentally "left" the conversation due to being bored; not concentrating on what was being said" would make the most sense in the given context.