Someone's face doesn't fit means: Used to imply that a person's appearance, personality, behavior, or background makes them unsuitable or unwelcome for a particular job, group, or situation, regardless of their qualifications.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
someone's face doesn't fit
(informal, UK) Used to imply that a person's appearance, personality, behavior, or background makes them unsuitable or unwelcome for a particular job, group, or situation, regardless of their qualific
Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
(informal, UK) Used to imply that a person's appearance, personality, behavior, or background makes them unsuitable or unwelcome for a particular job, group, or situation, regardless of their qualifications.
For parents
Someone's face doesn't fit means: Used to imply that a person's appearance, personality, behavior, or background makes them unsuitable or unwelcome for a particular job, group, or situation, regardless of their qualifications.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
someone's face doesn't fit means: Used to imply that a person's appearance, personality, behavior, or background makes them unsuitable or unwelcome for a particular job, group, or situation, regardless of their. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Cluster: work
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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UK
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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang
UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.
See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.
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Other words near "someone's face doesn't fit" (S)
solo runsolo stansolulusolutionSomalicoonsome mothers do have themsomewhatso micklesonasong mansong of the summersongololo
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