out of character
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Plaza loves how “freeing” animation is — “your imagination can run totally wild” — she says that even though it’s out of character for her, she’d play the “bad cop” in the writers room.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
It’s his money, but I believe he may be depleting his retirement account, which is very out of character for him.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026
The quality of the United move that led to the winner 19 minutes from time was out of character with an otherwise uninspired 90 minutes.
From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026
Her family and friends said her disappearance was completely out of character; she wasn't the kind of person who would abandon her much-loved kids and leave home.
From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026
He stands quietly beside me now, out of character for him.
From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
