be a third wheel
Meaning: To be an unwanted extra person with a couple.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “I went to dinner with Sam and his new girlfriend and felt like a third wheel.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A two-wheeled vehicle has no use for a third wheel. An older form was "fifth wheel," from the fifth wheel of a carriage. "Third wheel" became common in the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Tenir la chandelle — literally: To hold the candle
More idioms — Daily Life
- have a seat at the table — To be included in the discussions where decisions are made.
- find Mr. Right — To find the ideal romantic partner.
- all roads lead to Rome — There are many ways to reach the same goal.
- shut up shop — To close a business, either for the day or for good.
- penny wise and pound foolish — Careful with small amounts of money but wasteful with large ones.
- meet someone halfway — To make a compromise with someone.
More English idioms
- like a bat out of hell — Extremely fast.
- a snake-oil salesman — A swindler who sells fake remedies or worthless solutions.
- it doesn't take a rocket scientist — Something is easy to understand; no special intelligence is needed.
- do a moonlight flit — To leave one's home secretly at night, usually to avoid paying rent or debts.
- pipped at the post — To be beaten at the very last moment.
- twiddle one's thumbs — To do nothing while waiting or out of boredom.
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