miss the memo

Out of loop

To miss the memo is to be unaware of information that others already know, especially when that ignorance becomes socially awkward or conspicuous.

The phrase evokes an office setting where an important memo circulated but you never got it: Did I miss the memo about casual Friday?

Often used sarcastically when someone's behavior or beliefs seem out of step with common understanding: Apparently he missed the memo that we don't do that anymore.

uninformed

clueless

Lacking any understanding

blindsided · caught-off-guard · excluded · overlooked · bypassed · sidelined · disconnected · unknowing · unsuspecting · unbriefed

Opposites
awareness/being informed

miss the memoget the memo

Become informed, finally

get the message · have one's finger on the pulse · get wind of · catch on

social/cultural currency

miss the memoread the room

Perceive social atmosphere accurately

get with the times · know the score · know what's what · have one's finger on the pulse · get with the program

awareness/information status

miss the memoget the memo

Become informed, finally

have one's finger on the pulse · be aware · keep up · catch wind of · hear through the grapevine

Family

miss, memo, misses, missed, missing, memos, memorandum, memoranda, memory

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G