Gaze off

Question

1) Hypnotists would normally have the subjects gaze off at a distant object or a bright light.

Could anyone explain what the meaning of "gaze off" in the above sentence is? I stamble over the word "off". According to my understanding, "off" refers to be away, instead of "fix one's eyes on something" in this context.

2) By the way, could anyone explain the meaning of "it takes a village to raise a child"?

Is the village a metaphor for every member in the family involves in the raise? Is that a well-known saying?

What if someone says it takes a village to write a book? Does that mean speaker got a lot of support from his friends, family, colleagues, etc. to help him to write a book?

Thanks!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

iclearwaterCould anyone explain what the meaning of "gaze off" in the above sentence is? I stamble over the word "off". According to my understanding, "off" refers to be away, instead of "fix one's eyes on something" in this context.

Yes, 'off' means 'away' or 'into the distance'. It is an adverb of distance or extent.

iclearwater2) By the way, could anyone explain the meaning of "it takes a village to raise a child"?Is the village a metaphor for every member in the family involves in the raise?

No, not a metaphor, but perhaps a simplification. 'Village' refers to a child's surrounding society—family, friends, school, neighborhood, etc.

iclearwater Is that a well-known saying?

Reasonably so, I think.

iclearwaterWhat if someone says it takes a village to write a book? Does that mean speaker got a lot of support from his friends, family, colleagues, etc. to help him to write a book?

It is not quite an idiom, so I don't think you can apply the phrase to any situation like that...but if you did so, that is how I would interpret it, yes.

Gaze off

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