fɪʃ aʊt əv ˈwɔtər
Animals
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- A fish removed from water
What does "fish out of water" mean?
- Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
- A person in an unfamiliar environment
Examples
- At the fancy party, I felt like a fish out of water.
- He's a fish out of water in corporate meetings.
- Moving to the big city made her feel like a fish out of water.
Origin
The vivid image of a fish struggling when out of water—it cannot function in that environment. Used since at least the 14th century by Chaucer.
How to use it
Very common idiom for feeling out of place. Usually sympathetic rather than critical.
Similar expressions
out of place
uncomfortable
square peg in round hole
Opposites
in one's element
at home
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- the early bird gets the worm
Those who act first have the advantage
Use it in a practice answer
Try "fish out of water" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.