Etymology Journal ยท L
Like a fish out of water
Meaning
- This describes the feeling of being completely out of place, awkward, or uncomfortable in a new environment.
Empathic, reflective
Used in a sentence
- I felt like a fish out of water at that high-fashion gala.
- Going from a small country town to the middle of New York City, I felt like a fish out of water.
- He was a math genius but felt like a fish out of water at the art studio.
The backstory
This is a self-evident metaphor that has been used since the 16th century. A fish literally cannot survive outside of its element, which makes it a powerful way to express discomfort.
Heard in
Nationwide
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