Expressions used in Everyday Spoken English in Social and Professional contexts
stick out like a sore thumb
stick out like a sore thumb
1) someone/something noticeably different from their surroundings
- How to MemorizePopularity MediumProfessional MediumSocial
- stick out like a sore thumb somewhere
- AnalysisIf you 'stick out like a sore thumb' you are noticeable in comparison to the things or people around you. "Can you tell me if this outfit looks alright? I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb at the conference." "You can always tell when someone from creative comes to this office, they stick out like a sore thumb!" This is a casual expression but it could be insulting in the wrong context so be careful! Usually this expression as a negative connotation but it can be used to humorously jeer someone also.
- Social Examples (Advance)
- All the other doors on the street are painted red, so Jessica's yellow door sticks out like a sore thumb.
- The stranger stuck out like a sore thumb in the small town as everyone else there knew each other.
- John thought that it was a fancy dress party rather than a black-tie event, so he ended up sticking out like a sore thumb in his gorilla costume!
- Professional Examples (Advance)
- We stuck out like a sore thumb at the marketing event. Everyone had free samples and beautiful displays except for us.
- Training your staff in cultural awareness prevents them from sticking out like a sore thumb when they represent your company across the globe.
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