out of the ordinary

Idioms  

1. Unusual, uncommon, exceptional, as in The venison they served was certainly out of the ordinary. This expression sometimes, but not always, indicates that something is better than the usual. However, the negative version, nothing out of the ordinary, usually indicates that something is not special or outstanding, as in It was an interesting lecture, but nothing out of the ordinary.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out of the ordinary

Is there something out of the ordinary that you requested in your prenup?

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

Still, Farley is clear about the long-term vision: making Ford the “Porsche of off-road” and getting the company out of the ordinary and into the “iconic vehicle” business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026

How disappointing when she told me she saw nothing out of the ordinary.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

The decline was "out of the ordinary," geographer and report coordinator Ane Alencar told reporters.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

He enclosed notes to Sirius, telling him that nothing out of the ordinary had happened, and that they were still waiting for an answer from Percy.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling