out of character for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of character for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe behavior that is inconsistent with someone's usual personality or actions. Example: "His sudden outburst during the meeting was completely out of character for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps it would look too out of character for an M.M.A. fighter.

The New York Times - Sports

It was something very out of character for me to do.

Huffington Post

A religious allusion wouldn't be too out of character for Van Gogh.

Huffington Post

This approach is not out of character for Obama.

The New Yorker

"We do believe this out of character for Daniel.

The Guardian - Sport

Sally: No, that was out of character for us.

The New York Times

It's a little out of character for Joe.

The New York Times

"It was difficult to play, out of character for us.

The New York Times

"This was totally out of character for me".

The New York Times - Sports

This would hardly be out of character for Khartoum.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's out of character for us," Duncan said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of character for", ensure the subject's typical behavior or nature has already been established or is commonly understood. This provides a clear contrast and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "out of character for" when the subject's typical behavior is unknown or ambiguous. Without a clear baseline, the statement loses its meaning and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of character for" functions as a prepositional phrase used to describe something as being inconsistent with the typical behavior, personality, or nature of a person or thing. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of character for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something atypical or unexpected of a person or thing. According to Ludwig AI, it's usage is primarily found in News & Media. When using this phrase, it is important to provide context regarding the subject's normal behavior to create a clear contrast. Alternatives such as "uncharacteristic of" or "not typical of" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncharacteristic of

Direct synonym, replacing "out of character" with a single adjective. Has a slightly more formal tone.

not typical of

Replaces the idiom with a more straightforward and literal description of something not being usual.

atypical of

Similar to "uncharacteristic", but perhaps slightly less formal.

unlike someone

Focuses on the deviation from someone's usual behavior or nature.

not in keeping with

Suggests a lack of consistency with established patterns or expectations.

a departure from the norm for

Highlights the deviation from what is considered normal or standard.

deviating from usual behavior for

Emphasizes the action of straying from typical conduct.

an anomaly for

Positions the event or behavior as an exception or irregularity.

a break with tradition for

Applies when the subject is a tradition or pattern.

doesn't align with someone's nature

Focuses on the conflict with someone's inherent disposition.

FAQs

How can I use "out of character for" in a sentence?

Use "out of character for" to describe an action or behavior that is not typical or expected of someone. For example, "It was completely "out of character for" him to lose his temper like that".

What's the difference between ""out of character for"" and "uncharacteristic of"?

Both phrases indicate something is not typical, but ""out of character for"" is more idiomatic, while "uncharacteristic of" is a more direct and formal adjective. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What are some alternatives to saying ""out of character for""?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not typical of", "unlike someone", or "atypical of" to express a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase ""out of character for""?

Use ""out of character for"" when you want to emphasize that a particular action, behavior, or event is a deviation from what is normally expected or observed of a person, thing, or situation.