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fish out of water
01
a person in an unfamiliar situation or environment in which they feel uncomfortable
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "fish out of water" and when to use it?
The idiom "fish out of water" originates from the observation of a fish being removed from its natural habitat, water, and placed in an unfamiliar environment. This expression is used metaphorically to describe someone who feels uncomfortable, out of place, or awkward in a particular situation or environment that is unfamiliar or incompatible with their usual experiences or characteristics.
Examples
As a city dweller, John felt like a fish out of water when he visited his relatives' rural farm.
Sarah, an introverted bookworm, felt like a fish out of water at the loud and crowded nightclub.
