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Idioms

stick out like a sore thumb | stand out like a sore thumb

This page is about the idiom stick out like a sore thumb | stand out like a sore thumb

Meaning

If someone sticks out like a sore thumb, or stands out like a sore thumb, everyone notices them because they're not the same as the people around them.

For example

  • Kenny stuck out like a sore thumb at the party. He was the only person wearing a suit and a tie.

  • When I was in the Nigerian countryside I stood out like a sore thumb. I was the only white person around.

Quick Quiz

When Hector went to the dance club he stuck out like a sore thumb because he was the only person there who

a. had a swollen thumb

b. was over fifty years old

c. was wearing brown socks
a) had a swollen thumb b) was over fifty years old c) was wearing brown socks

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey