A fish out of water

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional Charge

This phrase often implies a sense of anxiety or discomfort.

Attending the advanced calculus class, she felt like a fish out of water.

Pro Tip 2/3

Figurative Use

Remember, it's used metaphorically to describe someone's feeling, not a real situation.

At the formal dinner, Joe, in his casual clothes, felt like a fish out of water.

Pro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

We don't use this phrase to describe actual fish or water.

During the quiz show, with all the tricky questions, I was like a fish out of water.