Idiom: Third Wheel (meaning & Examples) - Oyster English

Idiom:  third wheel

Meaning 

Idiom:  third wheel

• Someone who tags along with a group of two other people, usually a romantic couple
• An extra person who goes somewhere with a couple (they are an extra person in the group) 

Note:  A third wheel could be an unwanted person in a group, such as someone's mother going together with her son and his date to the movies. However, they do not have to be unwanted. For example, your best friend might go to a movie with you and your spouse.

You want the person there but they feel awkward because they don't have a romantic partner with them. They feel like a "third wheel." 

Many things that move have two or four wheels.

A bicycle has two and a car has four. A third wheel can make thing unbalanced (unless it's a tricycle). So the idiom really refers to an awkward situation or someone who isn't wanted or who doesn't want to be the third person in a group.

Example sentences

— Is there any way we can go out alone tonight? I'm tired of your little brother always being the third wheel.

— I really hate being the third wheel but it's better than staying alone at home every weekend.

— I feel like a third wheel when I go to the movies with my sister and her boyfriend.

— Since my husband passed away, the only time I go out is if I'm the third wheel with my girlfriends and their husbands.

— Even though I was the only single person in the group, I didn't feel like a third wheel because everyone was so friendly and inclusive.

— I hate it when my roommate and his girlfriend cuddle on the couch, because then I feel like a third wheel in my own apartment.

— It was supposed to be a double date but the guy I was set-up with didn't show up and I became the dreaded third wheel. There was no way for me to leave so I started pretending to be an undercover agent who was there to monitor the couple's conversation.

— I'd rather be the third wheel than not go to the dance.

— My dad sent my little sister out with us tonight as a third wheel so we won't do anything that isn't rated G.

— Last night, I didn't want to go out with my brother and his wife and be a third wheel but I'm glad I went along because I met a really nice girl at the bar.

— Finally, I'm dating someone so I'm no longer the third wheel when I go out with other couples.

— My girlfriend and I broke up yesterday. So it's back to being the third wheel again.

Synonyms

• odd man out
• odd one out
• two's company, three's a crowd

Download your free illustrated idioms eBook!

Want to expand your idiom knowledge even further? Download our free eBook, '25 Illustrated Idioms,' to learn more useful expressions with fun visuals that make understanding idioms a breeze. Sign up now to get your free copy!

You might like these idioms

Health & Safety idioms

Driving idioms

Water idioms

More idioms will be added in the future so check back frequently or sign-up for my free newsletter to learn about new updates to my website.

1. Home Page
 ›
2. Idioms List
 ›
3. Idiom: third wheel