Square peg in a round hole

Meaning

The idiom "square peg in a round hole" refers to someone or something that is not suited for a particular situation, role, or position because of their unique qualities or characteristics. It implies that the person or thing is trying to fit into a mold or standard that does not match their true nature, resulting in discomfort, frustration, and ultimately, failure.

Usage

• "I'm sorry, but I think you would make a square peg in our round hole. You have some unique ideas and perspectives that don't quite fit into our team dynamic."
• "I was hesitant to apply for this job at first because I knew I was a square peg in a round hole. However, I decided to give it a shot and see how it went."
• "She tried to force herself into a relationship with him, but he saw right through her and realized she was just a square peg in his round hole."
• "Our company values creativity and innovation, but sometimes people who are too different from the norm can be seen as square pegs in our round hole."
• "I knew I wasn't the right fit for this position from the start. I'm more of a creative thinker than a detail-oriented person, which made me a square peg in this round hole."

Roots and History

The idiom "square peg in a round hole" dates back to medieval times when blacksmiths used wooden blocks with square holes to shape and shave metal. If the metal was too hard or too brittle, it would not fit properly into the block, resulting in wasted effort and time. This analogy was later applied to people who were seen as not fitting into a particular situation or role because of their unique qualities or characteristics. The idiom has evolved over time to take on a more metaphorical meaning. Today, it is used to describe someone or something that does not fit well into a particular context or culture. The phrase has also been adapted into other idioms, such as "round peg in a square hole," which implies the opposite - someone who fits perfectly into a particular role or situation.

Synonyms in English

• Misfit
• Outcast
• Nonconformist
• Black sheep
• Rebel

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Peces raros
• French: Poisson d'or
• German: Fremde Vögel
• Italian: Uccelli strani
• Portuguese: Pássaro estranho

Similar Idioms

• scratch back

• lost on

• as long as