unfamiliar territory

unfamiliar territory

A situation or circumstance that is foreign, unclear, or unfamiliar and which may be dangerous or difficult as a result. We're starting to get into unfamiliar territory exploiting these tax loopholes. If we aren't careful, the government may crack down on us hard! John has always kept himself closed off from family members, so his real feelings have been unfamiliar territory for all of us.
See also: territory, unfamiliar
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

unfamiliar territory

an area of knowledge unknown to the speaker. We are in unfamiliar territory and I don't know the answer. Astronomy is unfamiliar territory for me, and I cannot answer any questions about the stars.
See also: territory, unfamiliar
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • murky
  • murky waters
  • murky/uncharted waters
  • in a sticky situation
  • mixed up in (something)
  • on a sticky wicket
  • batting on a sticky wicket
  • be in a sticky situation
  • be (batting) on a sticky wicket
  • a sticky situation
References in periodicals archive
Celtic Rangers aberdeen Hibernian Motherwell Hearts Kilmarnock st Johnstone Livingston St Mirren Hamilton accies Ross County sean hamilton no change at the top for me, but both Kilmarnock and st Johnstone will be in unfamiliar territory Celtic Rangers aberdeen Hibernian Hearts Motherwell Ross County St Mirren Kilmarnock st Johnstone Livingston Hamilton accies
it's Celtic all the way - maybe! Our men give their predictions on who will finish where
"It will be unfamiliar territory for most of us but there should be a really good atmosphere so let's just hope the weather relents.
Jim: Time to build on good form
Holby City 8pm Dom makes a risky decision which lands him in hot water, and Hanssen finds himself in unfamiliar territory when an estranged relative arrives at Holby begging for his help.
June 4
UST's victory put La Salle in unfamiliar territory, needing to win twice in order to secure an 11th straight appearance in the league's biggest stage.
UAAP: UST looks to dethrone La Salle
To Ronaldo's credit, he's never been afraid to move on to unfamiliar territory and conquer it.
Messi is the greatest but Ronaldo is far braver
And it wasn't unfamiliar territory as Mr Mundell is also a regular scout leader in Moffat.
QUESTION TIME; District news
Joshua Pacio was in unfamiliar territory when he lost his coveted ONE World strawweight title to Yosuka Saruta back in January after the two fought in Jakarta this past January.
Joshua Pacio banking on hometown support in latest ONE title bid
In it, Brad ((https://www.ibtimes.com/passage-tv-cast-how-mark-paul-gosselaar-saniyya-sidney-landed-brad-amy-roles-2752131) Mark-Paul Gosselaar ) will continue to do his best to protect Amy (Saniyya Sidney), but he'll find himself in very unfamiliar territory because there's no outside force for him to fight, there's only the sickness inside of her.
What Happens During Episode 8 Of 'The Passage'?
This isn't unfamiliar territory for the ruling party considering how it was their go-to method for almost anything they wanted to get done in the five years of the previous government.
Opposition hinting at agitation
SAN Miguel Beer is in an unfamiliar territory in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup.
San Miguel Beer tackles Aces' playoffs bonus
She's the last person who would join a school podcast, much less be chosen as its host; but Kate finds herself forced to deal with listeners and give advice to others in this moving story of a shy girl's venture into unfamiliar territory. Lisa Schroeder's See You On A Starry Night (9781338195743, $16.99) tells of Juliet, whose parents have separated.
Scholastic, Inc
Thebe finished on unfamiliar territory on position seven, stopping the clock at 46.53, although he was tipped to give his Qatari friend, Haroun Abdalleleh hard time, but it was clear that Thebe left his running spikes back home, as he did not spark more especially in the last 100 metres.
Thebe to put Ostrava nightmare behind
The hosts are in unfamiliar territory having been promoted from the third tier of German football last season but have handled the pressure well so far and Nuremberg are unlikely to deter them.
Highflying pair likely to settle for a point
The brewers find themselves in an unfamiliar territory, 10 matches into the campaign.
Challengers falter: Champions look on with glee as pretenders to their throne stutter
REQUIEM MIGHT READ LIKE ANY OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER - BUT WEAVING IN SUPERNATURAL UNDERTONES LEADS IT INTO UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY, SAY ITS CAST MEMBERS.
It's great to do something uncomfortable and unfamiliar