on autopilot
Absent-minded but functioning
On autopilot describes doing something mechanically, without conscious thought or attention.
The phrase comes from aircraft systems that maintain course without pilot input.
Someone driving a familiar route on autopilot arrives without remembering the journey.
The phrase often implies going through motions while mentally disengaged: I've been on autopilot since the breakup.
- cruise controlAutomatic velocity maintenance system
- cruiseLeisurely ocean voyage
- mindlessLacking thought or awareness
- checked outDeparted or zoned out
- roboticStiff and unemotional
zoned out · zoning out · routine · muscle memory · daydreaming · unconscious · mechanical · going through motions · trance · blank stare · habitual · creature of habit · same old same old · sleepwalking · drone · programmed · going through the motions · effortless
- inattentiondistracted, spacing, absent-minded, distraction, obliviousness
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
- flightflying, fly, flight, aviation, aircraft
on autopilotdeliberate
Consciously chosen, not accidental
intentional · purposeful · consciously · considered · by design
on autopilotmanual
Written instructions for use
hands-on · steering · taking the wheel · at the helm · in the driver's seat
autopilot, auto, pilot, pilots, piloted, piloting, autopilots, automatic, automatically