Idiom
fifth wheel
Meanings
A person who is not needed and feels awkward or excluded in a social situation, especially when others are paired up.
Something extra that is unnecessary or redundant in a plan, team, or arrangement.
Definition
A fifth wheel is a person who is unnecessary or awkwardly included in a situation, especially with couples or close friends.
A fifth wheel is someone who feels out of place because they are not really needed in a group activity. It is most often used when one person joins two couples or a very close pair. The phrase suggests the extra wheel on a vehicle that isn’t required for it to move.
Examples
- I didn’t want to be a fifth wheel, so I went home early.
- When I tagged along on their date, I felt like a fifth wheel.
- She invited me, but with two couples there I was the fifth wheel.
- He joked that he was the fifth wheel at the double date.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use "third wheel" in situations with two couples; use "fifth wheel" when there are two pairs and one extra person.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More noun phrases
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- Monday morning quarterback A "Monday morning quarterback" is someone who criticizes or judges a decision after the outcome is …
- gravy train An easy and profitable situation that provides steady benefits with little effort.
- level playing field A level playing field is a situation where everyone has the same chances and no one has an unfair a…
- long shot A long shot is something that has a very small chance of success but is still possible.