English idiom

a fish out of water

Register · Neutral CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

Someone who feels uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar situation.

Why this phrase?

A fish removed from water cannot function and gasps helplessly.

Example

“At the formal dinner he felt like a fish out of water.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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