awkward couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awkward couple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two people in a romantic relationship who seem uncomfortable or ill-suited for each other, often in a humorous or light-hearted context. Example: "At the party, they were the awkward couple, standing in the corner and avoiding eye contact with everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

An awkward couple, though?

The Guardian

But many other attempts to press charges foundered.In this section The awkward couple Justice or democracy?

The Economist

Mr Neves took a 45% cut in salary, capped public-sector pay and left 3,000 jobs unfilled, rather than using them in the traditional way to reward political allies.In this section The awkward couple Justice or democracy?

The Economist

And reaction to the new pope also revealed how far Argentina remains divided about what happened before and during its military dictatorship of the 1970s.In this section The awkward couple Justice or democracy?

The Economist

A FIFA spokesman said that "construction works have been delayed due to the limited labour force on the island" and insisted that "we constantly monitor" the activities of its member federations.In this section The awkward couple Justice or democracy?

The Economist

The EU's new office in Havana will deal only with trade matters.In this section The awkward couple Landry bites back Defeat, sort of A lack of clarity on terror Wary partners Reprints Related items Dissent in Cuba: David and GoliathJan 16th 2003 Cuba and the United States: The Americans have comeJan 2nd 2003All of this angers Mr Castro.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A quartet of postgraduates descends on the sleepy town of Divott in the Welsh Marches; two awkward couples, enmeshed in the "tight, exhausting friendship of the young".

The Guardian - Books

It was an awkward coupling, and now that its offspring have failed, hard-nosed business types may find it absurd that such arrogant neophytes were ever allowed to set up companies.

The New Yorker

Reza's next play, Trois versions de la vie, showed an awkward situation a couple arriving a day early for a dinner party working itself out in three different outcomes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ryan Weideman's erotically costumed people in the back of his taxi cab, Diane Arbus's awkward young couple on a park bench, Nan Goldin's drag queen out on the street in a huge, rococo wig with nipples exposed: all these images seem possessed of a world-weary remoteness.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite the awkward past couple of weeks, Jan has purchased an espresso machine, and the rest of the office jumps on the opportunity to 'test' out several espresso flavors.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awkward couple" when you want to describe a pair, often in a romantic context, who seem uncomfortable or mismatched together. It's effective for conveying a sense of unease or humor in social dynamics.

Common error

Avoid using "awkward couple" to describe non-romantic pairings, such as business partners with conflicting styles or teammates who struggle to coordinate. The phrase is strongly associated with romantic relationships or pairings that should be, but aren't, romantic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awkward couple" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "awkward", modifying the noun "couple", to describe a pair of people in a relationship or social setting who appear uncomfortable, ill-at-ease, or mismatched. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awkward couple" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a pair of individuals who exhibit discomfort or mismatch in their relationship or social interactions. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to label and characterize a specific dynamic, often with a humorous undertone. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider context when employing it in formal writing. For alternative expressions, consider using phrases like "uncomfortable pair" or "mismatched duo" to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awkward pairing

Swaps "couple" with "pairing" without affecting the meaning of the sentence.

uncomfortable pair

Focuses on the unease and lack of comfort between the two individuals.

mismatched duo

Highlights the incompatibility and lack of harmony between the individuals.

ill-suited partners

Emphasizes the lack of compatibility and appropriateness of the pairing.

clumsy twosome

Suggests a lack of grace and coordination in their interactions.

unhappy pairing

Directly addresses the lack of joy or contentment within the relationship.

incongruous match

Highlights the stark contrast and lack of cohesion between the two individuals.

strained relationship

Focuses on the tension and difficulty within the bond.

uncomfortable alliance

Implies a forced or uneasy connection between the two individuals.

uneasy twain

Uses 'twain' to create an archaic feel, referring to two awkward individuals.

FAQs

How to use "awkward couple" in a sentence?

You can use "awkward couple" to describe a pair of people in a relationship or social setting who seem uncomfortable or mismatched. For example, "They were the "awkward couple" at the party, avoiding eye contact and rarely speaking to each other."

What can I say instead of "awkward couple"?

You can use alternatives like "uncomfortable pair", "mismatched duo", or "ill-suited partners" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "awkward couple" in formal writing?

While "awkward couple" is widely understood, it might be perceived as informal for some formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral phrase like "incongruous match" or "strained relationship" in professional settings.

What makes a couple an "awkward couple"?

An "awkward couple" is typically characterized by visible discomfort, a lack of chemistry, or social unease in their interactions. This can stem from differing personalities, mismatched expectations, or difficulties in communication.