out of one's element
Fish on land
Out of one's element describes being in an unfamiliar situation where you lack comfort or competence.
The phrase draws on the old idea that creatures thrive in their natural element—fish in water, birds in air.
Someone out of their element feels awkward or ineffective: He's a country boy, completely out of his element in Manhattan.
The opposite is in one's element.
- fish out of waterOne in alien circumstances
- unfamiliarityLack of prior knowledge
- misplacementPutting in wrong place
- out of placeNot where it belongs
- discomfortMild physical or mental distress
square peg · maladaptation · alienation · odd man out · insecurity · inexperience · learning curve · isolation · disorientation · deer in headlights · confusion · floundering · anxiety · estrangement · awkwardness · foreignness · ignorance · unease
out of one's elementin one's element
Ideally suited to surroundings
at home · comfortable · at ease · right at home · settled
out of one's elementin one's element
Ideally suited to surroundings
on solid ground · confident · in control · in the zone · in the groove
element, outs, outing, outwardly, ones, oneself, elements, elemental, elementary