like a penny in the fusebox
- idiom
- Informal
- Her sudden laughter was like a penny in the fusebox, taking everyone by surprise.
Examples
-
His bold suggestion landed like a penny in the fusebox during the serious meeting.
-
Seeing him in that suit was like a penny in the fusebox.
-
The unexpected result felt like a penny in the fusebox to the researchers.
-
Her comment was like a penny in the fusebox during the serious meeting.
-
Her sudden laughter was like a penny in the fusebox, surprising everyone in the quiet room.
-
His unexpected question came like a penny in the fusebox during the discussion about serious matters.
-
Finding a dog in the middle of the busy street felt like a penny in the fusebox to the pedestrians.
Synonyms
∞
3.2
Strange or unusual in a way that makes people feel uncomfortable
∞
2.3
Unusual and slightly odd in a way you cannot easily understand
878
1.0
Different from what is normal or expected
394
2.5
Happening without warning
389
5.9
Very strange or unusual in a way that surprises people
106
5.0
Very surprising in a way that causes sudden shock
101
4.6
Different from what is normal and expected
68
4.1
Not usual and different from what people expect
14
8.0
Strange and often funny in a surprising way
12
7.4
An unexpected, unusual idea or remark that surprises people
1
7.9
No one expects it before it happens
Antonyms
How Surprising
347
3.4
- Informal
394
2.5
878
1.0
681
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
like + a + penny + in + the + fusebox
The simile evokes an incongruous small object (a penny) placed inside an electrical distribution box, so the basic idea of something surprising or out of place is partly inferable from the constituents. However, the expression depends on recognizing what a 'fusebox' is and on a cultural/technical image that is not universally obvious, so the precise idiomatic nuance is not fully predictable to a B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
Like a penny in the fusebox may come from the image of a small penny falling into a metal fusebox and causing a sudden spark or power problem. So the phrase is used for something 'unexpected' or 'out of place' that surprises people.