What it actually means
You are showing me detail I do not want to see.
Surface meaning: Deeply immersed in operational detail, often to the exclusion of the bigger picture.
If someone just said “In the Weeds” in a meeting, here is what they probably meant, what to do about it, and how to keep your sanity.
In the wild
VP: I don't want to get in the weeds.
(Decision made without facts.)
How to respond
Ask: 'Which decisions can you make without the weeds?' Often: none. The weeds were the point.
Origin
Restaurant kitchen slang, late 20th century, for being overwhelmed by orders.
FAQ
What does "In the Weeds" actually mean?
You are showing me detail I do not want to see.
Where did the phrase "In the Weeds" come from?
Restaurant kitchen slang, late 20th century, for being overwhelmed by orders.
How should I respond when someone says "In the Weeds"?
Ask: 'Which decisions can you make without the weeds?' Often: none. The weeds were the point.
Related corporate vocabulary
This was, of course, a meeting that should have been an email.
Run the fake meeting simulator. Generate a bingo card. Be busy without being there.
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