A fish out of water

noun phrase

Someone who is uncomfortable or awkward in a particular situation or place, not knowing what to do or how to behave.

When he first moved to New York from his small town, he felt like a fish out of water.
Visual representation of "a fish out of water" - Someone who is uncomfortable or awkward in a particular situation or place, not knowing what to do or how to behave.

Often appears as...

  • feel like a fish out of water
  • look like a fish out of water

Usage tips

Idiomatic

noun phrase

Someone who is uncomfortable or awkward in a particular situation or place, not knowing what to do or how to behave.

When he first moved to New York from his small town, he felt like a fish out of water.
Visual representation of "a fish out of water" - Someone who is uncomfortable or awkward in a particular situation or place, not knowing what to do or how to behave.

Often appears as...

  • feel like a fish out of water
  • look like a fish out of water

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "a fish out of water"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Charge

This phrase often implies a sense of anxiety or discomfort.

Illustration for Emotional Charge
Attending the advanced calculus class, she felt like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Figurative Use

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

Illustration for Figurative Use
At the formal dinner, Joe, in his casual clothes, felt like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

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

Illustration for Not Literal
During the quiz show, with all the tricky questions, I was like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Charge

This phrase often implies a sense of anxiety or discomfort.

Illustration for Emotional Charge
Attending the advanced calculus class, she felt like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Figurative Use

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

Illustration for Figurative Use
At the formal dinner, Joe, in his casual clothes, felt like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

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

Illustration for Not Literal
During the quiz show, with all the tricky questions, I was like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Charge

This phrase often implies a sense of anxiety or discomfort.

Illustration for Emotional Charge
Attending the advanced calculus class, she felt like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Figurative Use

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

Illustration for Figurative Use
At the formal dinner, Joe, in his casual clothes, felt like a fish out of water.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

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

Illustration for Not Literal
During the quiz show, with all the tricky questions, I was like a fish out of water.
Visual representation of the word "A fish out of water"

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