out of place

Idioms  

1. Not in the proper situation, not belonging; inappropriate for the circumstances or location. For example, A high school graduate, she felt out of place among all these academics with advanced degrees, or This velvet sofa is out of place on the porch. This idiom uses place in the sense of “a fitting position.” [First half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Not entirely out of place in Queens, as Stuhlmann said: “You do see more crop tops at the U.S. Open than at any other tournament.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

He was being raised in a liberal Jewish household with a vocal and politically progressive mother, and Elliott’s views were out of place.

From Slate • May 12, 2026

Against the famously physical Rockets, the 6-foot-2 guard doesn’t look out of place on defense.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

Atoms that are out of place are less stable and more likely to dissolve when exposed to water.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

“Elba’s more of a temperate rain forest, so scorpions are actually out of place here.”

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Related Words

• awkward
• erroneous
• false
• ill-advised
• imprudent
• inaccurate
• inadmissible
• inappropriate
• incorrect
• irregular
• unwarranted
• wrong