Neither fish nor fowl
phrase
Something or someone that doesn't fit into a clear category or group.
The new car design is neither fish nor fowl - it's not quite a sedan, but not quite a sports car either.
Often appears as...
- is neither fish nor fowl
- seem neither fish nor fowl
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Belonging to no particular side or party in a dispute.
In the argument between management and staff, the consultants were neither fish nor fowl.
Often appears as...
- are neither fish nor fowl
- seems neither fish nor fowl
phrase
Something or someone that doesn't fit into a clear category or group.
The new car design is neither fish nor fowl - it's not quite a sedan, but not quite a sports car either.
Often appears as...
- is neither fish nor fowl
- seem neither fish nor fowl
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Belonging to no particular side or party in a dispute.
In the argument between management and staff, the consultants were neither fish nor fowl.
Often appears as...
- are neither fish nor fowl
- seems neither fish nor fowl
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Meaning
Understand it figuratively, not literally; it describes an unclear identity or category.
Her music is neither fish nor fowl; it mixes genres.
Pro Tip 2/3Hybrid Situations
Use when something combines elements of different things but belongs to none.
This dish is neither fish nor fowl; part stew, part soup.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Literal Use
It's not about fish or birds; it's about things that don't fit typical categories.
That movie's genre is neither fish nor fowl, not fitting into a standard classification.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Meaning
Understand it figuratively, not literally; it describes an unclear identity or category.
Her music is neither fish nor fowl; it mixes genres.
Pro Tip 2/3Hybrid Situations
Use when something combines elements of different things but belongs to none.
This dish is neither fish nor fowl; part stew, part soup.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Literal Use
It's not about fish or birds; it's about things that don't fit typical categories.
That movie's genre is neither fish nor fowl, not fitting into a standard classification.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Meaning
Understand it figuratively, not literally; it describes an unclear identity or category.
Her music is neither fish nor fowl; it mixes genres.
Pro Tip 2/3Hybrid Situations
Use when something combines elements of different things but belongs to none.
This dish is neither fish nor fowl; part stew, part soup.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Literal Use
It's not about fish or birds; it's about things that don't fit typical categories.
That movie's genre is neither fish nor fowl, not fitting into a standard classification.
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