Out of joint

adjective

Something is wrong or disturbed.

Everything seems out of joint in my life right now.
Visual representation of "out of joint" - Something is wrong or disturbed

Often appears as...

  • feel out of joint
  • seem out of joint
adjective

(of a limb or joint) dislocated.

He fell and his shoulder went out of joint
Visual representation of "out of joint" - (of a limb or joint) dislocated

Often appears as...

  • shoulder out of joint
  • knee out of joint

Usage tips

Technical

adjective

Not harmonious or working well together.

Their plans for the project are out of joint
Visual representation of "out of joint" - Not harmonious or working well together

Often appears as...

  • plans out of joint
  • team out of joint
adjective

Something is wrong or disturbed.

Everything seems out of joint in my life right now.
Visual representation of "out of joint" - Something is wrong or disturbed

Often appears as...

  • feel out of joint
  • seem out of joint
adjective

(of a limb or joint) dislocated.

He fell and his shoulder went out of joint
Visual representation of "out of joint" - (of a limb or joint) dislocated

Often appears as...

  • shoulder out of joint
  • knee out of joint

Usage tips

Technical

adjective

Not harmonious or working well together.

Their plans for the project are out of joint
Visual representation of "out of joint" - Not harmonious or working well together

Often appears as...

  • plans out of joint
  • team out of joint
Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "out of joint"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Emphasis

Use to express that something is significantly disrupted, often with a sense of dismay or frustration.

Illustration for Emotional Emphasis
Since she left, my routine is all out of joint.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Figurative Use

Understand it's not always literal—it can describe feelings about life’s disruptions.

Illustration for Figurative Use
After the earthquake, the whole community felt out of joint.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphorical Disarray

It's a metaphor that likens life's unpredictability to misaligned objects or disturbed settings.

Illustration for Metaphorical Disarray
With all the canceled flights, the travelers’ plans were out of joint.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Emphasis

Use to express that something is significantly disrupted, often with a sense of dismay or frustration.

Illustration for Emotional Emphasis
Since she left, my routine is all out of joint.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Figurative Use

Understand it's not always literal—it can describe feelings about life’s disruptions.

Illustration for Figurative Use
After the earthquake, the whole community felt out of joint.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphorical Disarray

It's a metaphor that likens life's unpredictability to misaligned objects or disturbed settings.

Illustration for Metaphorical Disarray
With all the canceled flights, the travelers’ plans were out of joint.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Emphasis

Use to express that something is significantly disrupted, often with a sense of dismay or frustration.

Illustration for Emotional Emphasis
Since she left, my routine is all out of joint.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Figurative Use

Understand it's not always literal—it can describe feelings about life’s disruptions.

Illustration for Figurative Use
After the earthquake, the whole community felt out of joint.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Metaphorical Disarray

It's a metaphor that likens life's unpredictability to misaligned objects or disturbed settings.

Illustration for Metaphorical Disarray
With all the canceled flights, the travelers’ plans were out of joint.
Visual representation of the word "Out of joint"

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