- A person who feels awkward, uncomfortable, and out of place because they are in an environment or situation that is completely new or unfamiliar to them.
- Feeling like you don't belong or fit in with the surroundings or the people present.
Explanation
Origin
- Based on the literal image of a fish taken out of water.
- In such a situation, a fish is obviously distressed, cannot function properly, and is clearly in the wrong environment.
- The metaphor transfers this sense of displacement and discomfort to human experiences in unfamiliar settings.
- The concept dates back centuries (Chaucer used a similar idea), but the exact phrasing became common later.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Felt totally awkward / weird
- Didn't vibe with the place/crowd
- Stuck out like dog's balls (Aus/NZ, vulgar, emphasizes being obvious)
- Out of my element
- Didn't belong
Milder/Standard:
- Felt out of place
- Was uncomfortable
- Didn't feel like I fit in
- In unfamiliar territory
Situational Appropriateness
- Common in informal and semi-formal conversation.
- Effectively conveys feelings of awkwardness and unfamiliarity.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Purely metaphorical. Has nothing to do with actual fish or water. Focus on the feeling of being uncomfortable in an unfamiliar setting.
Examples
- As a non-drinker at the wild party, I felt like a fish out of water.
- He grew up on a farm, so moving to New York City made him feel like a fish out of water.
- I attended an advanced physics lecture and felt like a complete fish out of water – I didn't understand a thing.
Dialogue
Friend 1: How was your partner's work gala last night?
Friend 2: Honestly? It was so formal and corporate... I felt like a total fish out of water. Everyone was talking about stocks and mergers.
Friend 1: Oh dear, sounds a bit stuffy! Well, at least you went to support your partner.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Attending my first tech conference as a marketing person. Feeling like a bit of a fish out of water but eager to learn! #conference #networking #newbie
- Facebook Post: Went to a country music festival this weekend... as someone who mostly listens to electronic music, I was a definite fish out of water! Still had fun though. #musicfestival #cultureclash
- Blog Post Title: My Year Abroad: Tales of a Fish Out of Water.
Response Patterns
- Oh, I can imagine. That must have been awkward.
- I know exactly what you mean. I felt the same way when...
- Yeah, that doesn't sound like your kind of scene.
- What made you feel so out of place?
- Expressions of empathy, shared experience, or curiosity.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone describes feeling like a fish out of water:
- What was so different or unfamiliar about it?
- Why did you feel uncomfortable?
- Was there anyone you knew there?
- Did you manage to adapt or did you leave early?
- Action: Offering sympathy or reassurance.
- Action: Sharing a similar personal experience.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used to describe a feeling experienced in a particular past or present situation.
Intonation
- Stress often on FISH, OUT, and WATER. A FISH out of WATER.
- Often said with a tone of self-deprecation, empathy, or discomfort when describing the feeling.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used by all generations. The metaphor is quite intuitive.
Regional Variations
- Common across all major English-speaking regions.