out of place

Idioms and Phrases

Not in the proper situation, not belonging; inappropriate for the circumstances or location. For example, A high school graduate, she felt out of place among all these academics with advanced degrees , or This velvet sofa is out of place on the porch . This idiom uses place in the sense of “a fitting position.” [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Mitt Romney, who has reverted to the not-a-follicle-out-of-place hairstyle, never really got up the gumption to hit Newt.

From The Daily Beast

First, he clumsily inserts nakedly political posturing that seems altogether out-of-place in the context of the High Holy Days.

From The Daily Beast

Thus, careful watchers might have been puzzled by a seemingly out-of-place story last week.

From The Daily Beast

There was a young fellow standing there who looked about as out-of-place as I felt.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is needless describing him here, for every out-of-place groom and dog-stealer's man knows him by sight.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he bestirred himself, and tried to live up to the singularly out-of-place social requirements.

From Project Gutenberg

How strange and out-of-place her name and face seemed amid our surroundings.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the most out-of-place sound Bill Parker had ever heard.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• awkward
• erroneous
• false
• ill-advised
• imprudent
• inaccurate
• inadmissible
• inappropriate
• incorrect
• irregular
• unwarranted
• wrong