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Out of the Ordinary

What Does "Out of the Ordinary" Mean?

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"Out of the ordinary" is an English idiom. It means "unusual or uncommon; not typical or expected."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "out of the ordinary" used in a sentence:
  • The strange occurrence was definitely out of the ordinary for that peaceful town.
  • Their wedding was out of the ordinary, with a circus-themed ceremony.
  • The chef's unique recipes and flavour combinations were out of the ordinary and delighted diners.
meaning for out of the ordinary

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Out of the Ordinary" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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