Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb, To
To stick out like a sore thumb is to be very conspicuous or noticeable, often in an awkward or unintentional way. This simile is extremely apt, as anyone who has ever injured a thumb will testify. One tends to hold the injured finger stiffly, and, since it opposes the rest anyhow, it tends to stand out, thereby risking more bumps and bruises. Dating from the early twentieth century, it appears in print in Erle Stanley Gardner’s “The Case of the Sleepwalker’s Niece” (1936): “That’s the one thing in the case that stands out like a sore thumb.”
Synonyms & Similar Expressions
- Stand out like a beacon
- As obvious as a hare in a tortoise race
- As clear as a bell
- As plain as day
- Loud and clear
Antonyms
- Blend in seamlessly
- Fly under the radar
- Go unnoticed
- Fade into the background
- Be inconspicuous
Related Proverbs and Expressions
- The squeaky wheel gets the grease
- If you can’t hang with the big dogs, stay on the porch
- All that glitters is not gold
- Still waters run deep
Quote:
“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” – e.e. cummings
Recommended Literature:
Books:
- “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison (1952): A dynamic exploration of what it means to stand out in society.
- “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger (1951): The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, sticks out like a sore thumb through his unique outlook on life.
- “Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2003): Highlights those who stand out within their cultural and familial contexts.
Songs:
- “Creep” by Radiohead – An anthem for those feeling out of place.
- “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera – Celebrates standing out and being different.
- “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield – Encourages individuality and being oneself.
Poetry:
- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost – Celebrates the value of choosing a path different from the mainstream.
Movies:
- “The Breakfast Club” (1985) – Teenagers learn about each other’s differences while serving detention.
- “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) – A story about a person who stands out literally and figuratively.
- “The Greatest Showman” (2017) – Celebrates those deemed as “sore thumbs” by society.
Inspirational Thought:
May you always embrace what makes you unique, even when you stick out like a sore thumb. Standing out is often the first step to finding your true path.
Authored by: L. N. Lexicon
Publishing Date: October 2nd, 2023
“In a society that demands conformity, embracing what sets you apart isn’t just daring—it’s revolutionary.”
