fish out of water, a

Idioms  

1. A person away from his or her usual environment or activities. For example, Using a computer for the first time, Carl felt like a fish out of water, or On a hiking trail, Nell was a fish out of water. This expression alludes to the fact that fish cannot survive for long on dry land. [Late 1300s]

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Example Sentences

Fish out of Water, a season 3 episode devoid of dialogue, follows BoJack through an underwater world, perfectly capturing the frustrations of being unable to navigate everyday spaces or communicate adequately with those around you.

From The Guardian

Once the scheme is set up, keeping it up falls to Robert, the fish out of water, a rube in a den of minxes.

From Washington Post

Orange is the New Black is fascinating because of the intrigue of a fish out of water, a woman coping with an alien environment – plus maybe the lesbian sex.

From The Guardian

Some within the company saw him as a fish out of water - a brash banker in the sedate world of insurance.

From Reuters

Lloyd's debut on ECM began with Fish Out of Water, a quiet Coltrane lament, but the deep and dreamy flute piece Haghia Sophia shows his enduring power to move on that intrument.

From The Guardian