fish out of water
noun phrase
: a person who is in an unnatural or uncomfortable sphere or situation
The small-town boy felt like a fish out of water in the big city.
Cite this Entry
“Fish out of water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fish%20out%20of%20water. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
