THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Fish out of water
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Someone who feels uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation.
Usage note: keep in mind
A fish out of water is a person who feels out of place in unfamiliar surroundings. Use feel like a fish out of water to describe your reaction. The phrase does not mean the person is incapable; familiarity and confidence may develop with time.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- I felt like a fish out of water at the formal dinner.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
I felt like a ________ at the formal dinner.
Show the answer
Fish out of water — Someone who feels uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Fish out of water” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Someone who feels uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation.
Compare: I felt like a fish out of water at the formal dinner.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
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GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- I felt like a fish out of water at my first technical conference.
- The experienced city driver was a fish out of water on the unfamiliar farm roads.
Check your understanding
Does feeling like a fish out of water prove that someone cannot learn to handle the situation?
Check your answer
No. It describes discomfort or unfamiliarity in that setting. Experience and support can change how the person feels.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where fish out of water fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.