odd man out

or odd-man-out

noun

1. a method of selecting or eliminating a person from a group, as by matching coins, especially in preparation for playing a game.
2. the person so selected or eliminated.
3. a game consisting of this method.
4. outsider ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of odd man out¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Richard Witsoe said he sometimes feels like the odd man out as one of two white men who live in this subsidized seniors building of about 300 residents.

From Los Angeles Times

I can hear the faint creaking of floorboards in my house yet when I’m in the middle of a robust three-way conversation, I feel like the odd man out.

From Salon

With the Dodgers needing a spot for veteran utility man Chris Taylor, Heyward was the odd man out in a roster crunch.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes I felt like the odd man out.

From Los Angeles Times

The odd man out in Wednesday’s flurry of moves was Knack, the rookie right-hander who seemed to be establishing himself in the Dodgers rotation after a five-inning, one-run start Tuesday night.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bohemian
• dissenter
• dropout
• eccentric
• freak
• oddball
• outsider
• weirdo