seem

Related to seem: seem like

can't seem to

Apparently unable to or incapable of doing something. I've been over these figures three times, but I just can't seem to get them to add up. He couldn't seem to figure out how to work the machine.
See also: seem

long shot

1. A bet that has a low probability of winning. That horse is a long shot, but the bet will pay well if he wins the race.
2. Something that has a very small chance of succeeding. I know it's a long shot because of his busy schedule, but maybe I can convince him to help me with this project. Her candidacy was a long shot from the beginning, and her landslide defeat was no surprise.
See also: long, shot

make (something) seem like a picnic

To be so difficult, complicated, or harmful as to make something else that is normally very difficult or negative seem easy, simple, or pleasant by comparison. If we don't act now, the financial crisis waiting for us will make the last recession seem like a picnic.
See also: like, make, picnic, seem

out of place

1. Not in the usual or proper place. We need to put everything back perfectly—Mom and Dad will know if even one book is out of place. The detective noticed that the picture frame was out of place.
2. Not appropriate for or fitting with the current surroundings or environment. I'm afraid your type of humor might be a little out of place in such a formal venue. I always felt out of place in school, like I was there by mistake. Their wild nautical-themed house is totally out of place in the neatly organized suburb.
See also: of, out, place

pressed for time

Having a small or limited amount of time available; in a hurry. I'm sorry, I can't chat for long. I need to go pick up the kids, and I'm a bit pressed for time. Don't plan an elaborate meal if you're pressed for time—we can just order a pizza instead.
See also: press, time

seem like (something)

To appear to be or give the impression of being a particular kind of person or thing. A: "Have you met Tom's new boyfriend?" B: "Yeah, he seems like a nice guy." Though it seemed like a good idea at the time, the direction we pursued with the company nearly bankrupted us.
See also: like, seem

things are seldom as they seem

Situations are often very different from the way that they appear at first glance. Social media paints this rosy picture that everyone else's lives are perfect, but things are seldom as they seem. I don't see any reason for this merger to be especially difficult. Things are seldom as they seem, though, so I suggest we still proceed with as much prudence and care as possible.
See also: seem, seldom, thing

things are seldom what they seem

Situations are often very different from the way that they appear at first glance. Social media paints this rosy picture that everyone else's lives are perfect, but things are seldom what they seem. I don't see any reason for this merger to be especially difficult. Things are seldom what they seem, though, so I suggest we still proceed with as much prudence and care as possible.
See also: seem, seldom, thing, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

high-and-mighty

Fig. self-important and arrogant. I don't know why William is so high-and-mighty. He's no better than the rest of us. The boss acts high-and-mighty because he can fire us all.

*long shot

Fig. a risky bet; an attempt, bet, or proposition that has a low probability of success. (*Typically: be ~; seem like ~.) Your solution is a long shot, but we'll try it and hope it works.
See also: long, shot

*oneself again

showing signs of being healthy again or restored. (*Typically: act like ~; be ~; feel like ~; seem like ~.) After such a longillness, it'sgoodto be myself again. I'm sorry that I lost my temper. I think I feel like myself again now.
See also: again

*out of place

 
1. Lit. not in the proper place. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; knock something ~.) The book I wanted was out of place, and I almost did not find it. How did the furniture in this room get out of place?
2. Fig. inappropriate. (*Typically: be ~; Seem ~.) That kind of behavior is out of place at a party. Your crude language is out of place.
3. Fig. [of someone ] awkward and unwelcome. (*Typically: be ~; feel ~; seem ~.) I feel out of place at formal dances. Bob and Ann felt out of place at the picnic, so they went home.
See also: of, out, place

*pressed for time

 and *pushed for time
Fig. needing time; in a hurry. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; get ~; Seem ~.) If I weren't so pressed for time, I could help you. I can't talk to you. I'm too pushed for time. Can't talk to you now. I'm pressed for time.
See also: press, time

*putty in someone's hands

Fig. [of someone] easily influenced by someone else; excessively willing to do what someone else wishes. (Putty is soft and malleable. *Typically: be ~; seem like ~.) Bob's wife is putty in his hands. She never thinks for herself. Jane is putty in her mother's hands. She always does exactly what her mother says.
See also: hand, putty

seem like someone or something

to appear to be like some kind of person or something. You seemed like such a nice person when I met you. This seems like a nice day.
See also: like, seem

Things are seldom what they seem.

Prov. Things often appear different from what they really are. Emily seems to be a fine young lady, but be careful. Things are seldom what they seem. To judge from his elegant clothing and luxurious car, William was a wealthy man. But things are seldom what they seem; in fact, he was in desperate need of money.
See also: seem, seldom, Thing, what
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

can't seem to

Be apparently unable to, as in No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to concentrate on this book. This phrase gives added emphasis to a negative statement, as in the example. [Late 1800s]
See also: seem

out of place

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]
See also: of, out, place

pressed for time

In a hurry, as in How long will it take? I'm really pressed for time. This idiom uses press in the sense of "subject to pressure," a usage dating from the late 1600s.
See also: press, time
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

out of ˈplace


1 not in the correct place: Some of these files seem to be out place.
2 not suitable for a particular situation: Your silly remarks were completely out of place at such an important meeting. I feel quite out of place at a smart party like this.
See also: of, out, place
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

long shot

n. a wild guess; an attempt at something that has little chance of succeeding. You shouldn’t expect a long shot to pay off.
See also: long, shot
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

pressed for time

In a hurry; under time pressure.
See also: press, time
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • can't seem to
  • neither can (one)
  • Neither can I
  • spaced (out)
  • spacey
  • spacy
  • unable to go on
  • be (as) blind as a bat
  • fail to see
  • carved in stone
References in classic literature
After a few days, men began to grow desperate; their very words as well as their senses seemed to be in chains.
It was strange indeed what influence that weird kite seemed to exercise.
Lair of the White Worm
It seems as if; over here, I had learned to come out with everything.
But it seems as if I couldn't help taking a peep now and then, in advance--with a Bostonian.
Bundle of Letters
The tramp of their boots upon the dry road seemed to asseverate nothing, nothing, nothing.
But although it seemed likely that she would soon control her anger with him, the certainty that he did not love her, confirmed by every word of his proposal, forbade any freedom of speech.
Night and Day
They all muttered some excuse or other, and seemed only anxious to show me out.
There is telephonic communication with the house, and he seems to have used the sitting-room as a sort of studio.
The Vanished Messenger
The whole surface of the earth seemed changed--melting and flowing under my eyes.
I saw great and splendid architecture rising about me, more massive than any buildings of our own time, and yet, as it seemed, built of glimmer and mist.
Time Machine
"He seems to be a great deal in your thoughts lately, Penelope."
The Illustrious Prince
Young Herr, must you go?" She was in such an excited state that she seemed to have lost her grip of what German she knew, and mixed it all up with some other language which I did not know at all.
Dracula
During this moment of leisure they seemed all to be engaged in staring with astonishment at him.
Red Badge of Courage
Her blooming full-pulsed youth stood there in a moral imprisonment which made itself one with the chill, colorless, narrowed landscape, with the shrunken furniture, the never-read books, and the ghostly stag in a pale fantastic world that seemed to be vanishing from the daylight.
Middlemarch
His sardonic manner, his hostile aloofness, had made it difficult to know him; but it seemed to Philip, looking back, that there had been in him a tragic force, which sought vainly to express itself in painting.
Of Human Bondage