Idiom
fifth wheel
Meanings
An extra person who feels awkward or not included, especially when with couples.
Something or someone unnecessary in a plan or group; an unneeded extra.
Definition
A fifth wheel is a person who feels unnecessary or left out in a group, especially with couples.
A fifth wheel is someone who is not really needed in a situation and may feel awkward or excluded. It is most commonly used when one person joins two couples and feels like the extra person. People often say this to explain why they do not want to go along or why they felt uncomfortable.
Examples
- I didn’t go to dinner because I didn’t want to be the fifth wheel.
- When I joined their date night, I felt like a fifth wheel the whole time.
- He joked that he was the fifth wheel on our double date.
- It was fun, but being the fifth wheel made me a little awkward.
- She invited another friend so I wouldn’t be a fifth wheel.
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