square peg in a round hole

Idioms and Phrases

Also, round peg in a square hole . A misfit, especially a person unsuited for a position or activity. For example, Ruth doesn't have the finesse for this job; she's a round peg in a square hole . This idiom, with its graphic image of something that cannot fit, dates from about 1800.

More About Square Peg In A Round Hole

What does square peg in a round hole mean?

The phrase square peg in a round hole refers to a person who is in a position, such as a job, that they are unsuited for, as in Jeff’s allergy to cats made him a square peg in a round hole as the vet’s assistant. 

Square peg in a round hole can also refer to someone who is very uncomfortable in a certain situation. If you don’t like classical music, you might feel like a square peg in a round hole at a symphony performance.

The phrase round peg in a square hole is used to mean the same thing.

Often, the phrase square peg in a round hole is used with verbs like fit, stick, or push to emphasize the idea that the peg and the hole don’t match.

Example: Our school’s French teacher was a square peg in a round hole when she was accidentally assigned to teach my chemistry class. 

Where does square peg in a round hole come from?

The first records of the phrase square peg in a round hole come from around 1836. A peg is a pin, usually made of wood, that is placed inside something. Square peg in a round hole figuratively compares a person who doesn’t fit in a situation or role to a square peg that literally doesn’t fit into a round hole.

Square peg in a round hole is commonly used to refer to a person filling the wrong role or being assigned the wrong position. For example, a professional baseball player would likely be called a square peg in a round hole if they were forced to play basketball instead.

Although it is most often used to refer to people, square peg in a round hole may also be used to refer to objects that don’t belong somewhere or things that are inappropriate in a certain situation, such as a 20-story building among two-story houses.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to square peg in a round hole?

• round peg in a square hole

What are some synonyms for square peg in a round hole?

• misfit
• fish out of water

What are some words that share a root or word element with square peg in a round hole? 

• square
• peg
• round
• hole

What are some words that often get used in discussing square peg in a round hole?

• unsuited
• uncomfortable
• wrong
• inappropriate
• miscast

How is square peg in a round hole used in real life?

Square peg in a round hole is used to describe people who don’t fit their jobs or roles or to describe something as being inappropriate or a bad idea.

Last year, I said Matt Ryan in Kyle Shanahan's offense was a "square peg in a round hole." I didn't think that relationship would work…

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) January 15, 2017

I’m always amazed by people who decide to use a social media platform the way they see fit rather than learn how it’s used by the community.

It’s painful watching someone try to fit a square peg in a round hole.

— Jenny Li Fowler, 이경실 (@TheJennyLi) December 21, 2020

Getting haircut advice from my husband is about as productive as sticking a square peg in a round hole.

— Sarah Foss (@SarahEFoss) December 23, 2011

Try using square peg in a round hole!

Is square peg in a round hole used correctly in the following sentence?

As a professional chef, Felix is like a square peg in a round hole whenever he is in a kitchen.