like a fish out of water
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To continue the maritime theme, Wolves have looked like a fish out of water for most of this Premier League campaign.
From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026
At law school, he’s felt like a fish out of water for months among those who have their life planned out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2023
I felt like a fish out of water and didn't connect in that room.
From Salon ● Nov. 18, 2022
Coming into this field, I just sometimes feel like a fish out of water.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 15, 2022
It was a good plan, but when I tried to actually get my arm out of the mummy bag, I flailed around like a fish out of water, and nearly dislocated my shoulder.
From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
