I feel like a fifth wheel when I go out with them.
fifth wheel
idiomAnything superfluous or unnecessary.
Origin
disputed originFrom the fact that since many vehicles such as carriages, coaches, wagons, prime movers, and trucks generally have four wheels on which they move, this component which resembles a wheel is the fifth. * (anything superfluous or unnecessary): Sense 3 refers to the fact that a fifth wheel is not needed for a four-wheeled vehicle to operate.
They invited me to dinner, but I felt like a fifth wheel while they talked about their vacation.
Despite his host's polite attempts to include him in the conversation, he could not shake the uncomfortable sensation of being a fifth wheel at the dinner party.
- 01
big wheel
A person with a great deal of power or influence, especially a high-ranking person in an organization.
- 02
break the wheel
To end a pattern of oppression, inequality, injustice, or abuse.
- 03
hamster wheel
To cycle fruitlessly.
- 04
reinvent the wheel
To do work unnecessarily when it has already been done satisfactorily by others; to attempt to devise a solution to a problem when a solution already exists.
- 05
set one's shoulder to the wheel
Synonym of put one's shoulder to the wheel.
- 06
take the fifth
To decline to comment, especially on grounds that it might be incriminating.
- 07
take the wheel
To assume control of a situation.
- 08
third wheel
An individual or object that serves no useful purpose.