THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Out of the ordinary
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Different from what is usual or expected.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- We wanted a birthday activity that was a little out of the ordinary.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
We wanted a birthday activity that was a little ________.
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Out of the ordinary — Different from what is usual or expected.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Out of the ordinary” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
Different from what is usual or expected.
Compare: We wanted a birthday activity that was a little out of the ordinary.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this expression about something unusual, whether interesting, surprising or concerning. The phrase itself does not say whether the difference is good or bad.
More examples in context
- The technician found nothing out of the ordinary during the check.
- A handwritten invitation would be something out of the ordinary these days.
Usage note
Keep “the” in the phrase. “Nothing out of the ordinary” means nothing unusual. Something can be out of the ordinary without being better than other things.
A short conversation
A: Did anything unusual happen on the journey?
B: Nothing out of the ordinary, apart from a musician playing on the platform.
A: That sounds like a pleasant surprise.
One more practice question
Which item is out of the ordinary in an office where everyone normally types reports?
A. A report carefully written by hand on a scroll.
B. Another standard typed report.
Check your answer
A. The handwritten scroll differs noticeably from the normal practice.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.