Meaning of Idiom ‘Fish out of Water’
A person who is a fish out of water feels unhappy and uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar situation, especially one in which they feel different than the people around them.
Sentence Examples
“I always felt like a fish out of water when I was young. I didn’t know any kids who were like me.”
“It was Natalie’s first day at school and she felt like a fish out of water.”
“But when I hang out with his crowd, I just feel like…” “Like a fish out of water?” “Like a fish on Mars.” — If I Stay (2014)
“Actually, whenever I see you, I feel like a fish out of water…” —Main Hoon Na (2004)
Origin
This idiom has been used since the mid to late 1800s. It alludes to a fish being unable to breathe outside the water, thus being very uncomfortable and out of its natural element.
More Fish Idioms