like a fish out of water

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Fig. appearing to be completely out of place; in a very awkward manner. Bob stood there in his rented tuxedo, looking like a fish out of water. Whenever I am with your friends, I feel like a fish out of water. What on earth do you see in them—or me?

See also: fish, like, out, water

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? References in classic literature
My children, beware of popularity; it is a delusion and a snare; it puffeth up the heart of man, and especially of woman; it blindeth the eyes to faults; it exalteth unduly the humble powers of the victim; it is apt to be capricious, and just as one gets to liking the taste of this intoxicating draught, it suddenly faileth, and one is left gasping, like a fish out of water," and Kate emphasized her speech by spearing a sardine with a penknife, and eating it with a groan. An Old-Fashioned Girl by Alcott, Louisa May View in context It was done so naturally, so simply and so quickly that it left me gasping like a fish out of water. The People That Time Forgot by Burroughs, Edgar Rice View in context More results

? References in classic literature

My children, beware of popularity; it is a delusion and a snare; it puffeth up the heart of man, and especially of woman; it blindeth the eyes to faults; it exalteth unduly the humble powers of the victim; it is apt to be capricious, and just as one gets to liking the taste of this intoxicating draught, it suddenly faileth, and one is left gasping, like a fish out of water," and Kate emphasized her speech by spearing a sardine with a penknife, and eating it with a groan.

An Old-Fashioned Girl by Alcott, Louisa May View in context

It was done so naturally, so simply and so quickly that it left me gasping like a fish out of water.

The People That Time Forgot by Burroughs, Edgar Rice View in context

More results

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