a square peg in a round hole
a square peg in a round hole
A person who does not fit in or is not comfortable with others or in a particular situation; someone who is unsuited to a certain task, position, situation, or group of people. It only took three months to realize I was a square peg in a round hole at the firm. I guess I just don't buy into the whole corporate hierarchy of modern business. John was a bit of a square peg in a round hole throughout high school, but when he went to college he found all sorts of people he could relate to.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
square peg in a round hole
Fig. someone who is uncomfortable or who does not belong in a particular situation. (Also the cliché: trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, trying to combine two things that do not belong or fit together.) I feel like a square peg in a round hole at my office. Everyone else there seems so ambitious, competitive, and dedicated to the work, but I just want to make a living. Trying to teach me math is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. I'm convinced my brain is not built right to understand algebra.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
square peg in a round hole
Also, round peg in a square hole. A misfit, especially a person unsuited for a position or activity. For example, Ruth doesn't have the finesse for this job; she's a round peg in a square hole. This idiom, with its graphic image of something that cannot fit, dates from about 1800.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a square peg in a round hole
If you describe someone as a square peg in a round hole, you mean that they are not suitable for the job or situation they are in. Taylor is clearly the wrong man for the job — a square peg in a round hole. Note: You can also talk about trying to fit a square peg into a round hole if someone is trying to make someone do something or be in a situation that they are not suitable for. With all his players fit, the team's manager will be in the unfamiliar position of not having to fit a square peg into a round hole. Note: Other verbs, such as force and put can be used instead of fit. Forcing a square peg into a round hole is not a very useful exercise — you need to make sure you get the right person for the job. Note: People often vary this expression. The system too often leads to round pegs being appointed to square holes.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a square peg in a round hole
a person in a situation unsuited to their abilities or character.The variant a round peg in a square hole is also found, although it is less common.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
square peg (in a round hole)
n. someone who does not fit in. I’m a square peg in a round hole. Maybe I am meant to be eccentric.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
square peg in a round hole
Informal A misfit.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
square peg in a round hole
A misfit. Its origin attributed to the 19th-century British philosopher and cleric Sydney Smith, the phrase has been used in a business context to describe someone who doesn't fit in to corporate culture, isn't a team player, and therefore stands little chance of corporate advancement.
See also: hole, peg, round, square
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
- a round peg in a square hole
- aint
- ain't
- not for hire
- not for a second
- not for a minute
- not for a moment
- not for a/one minute/moment/second/instant
- not for a instant
- not by any means