Learn English – Word, expression or idiom for looking at nothing in particular

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Sometimes, when people are absorbed in thinking about something they appear as if their gaze is fixed, but they look at nothing in particular. In my language there is an expression that translated word for word would sound like "looking at the void". Maybe a vacant look would describe this in English. Are there any expressions or idioms that would mean describe that kind of gaze?

Best Answer

to look/stare into space is close to your description:

  • to look in front of you for a long time without seeing the things that are there because you are thinking about something else:

    • He sat quietly for a while, staring into space.

MacMillan Dictionary

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