Some people are different in special ways. They may have ideas no one else thinks of or dress in fun and bold ways. To talk about people like this, we often use idioms. Idioms are phrases that mean something different than the words they use. They help us talk in fun and creative ways. For example, instead of saying “He is different from others,” we might say “He marches to the beat of his own drum.”
In this article, we will learn idioms that describe someone who is different, stands out, or does things in their own way. These idioms can make your writing and speaking more interesting. They can also help you understand others better. Let’s look at 30 idioms that show how someone can be “unique” in what they do or how they think.
Idioms for Unique
1. March to the beat of your own drum
Meaning: To do things your own way, not like everyone else.
Samples: She marches to the beat of her own drum with her bright clothes. / He always chooses his own path, marching to the beat of his own drum.
To Put it Another Way: She doesn’t follow the crowd. / He likes to do things differently.
2. One of a kind
Meaning: Very special and unlike anyone or anything else.
Samples: His drawing was one of a kind. / Grandma’s cookies are one of a kind.
To Put it Another Way: It was truly different. / Nothing else is like it.
3. Stand out from the crowd
Meaning: To be easy to notice because you are different.
Samples: Her voice stands out from the crowd. / He stood out from the crowd with his cool ideas.
To Put it Another Way: Everyone noticed her. / He wasn’t like the others.
4. Break the mold
Meaning: To be very different from what is usual.
Samples: She broke the mold with her robot project. / His thinking breaks the mold.
To Put it Another Way: She didn’t do what others did. / He came up with something new.
5. Cut from a different cloth
Meaning: To be very different in character or style.
Samples: He’s cut from a different cloth, always thinking outside the box. / She acts differently from the rest cut from a different cloth.
To Put it Another Way: He has a special way. / She’s not like most people.
6. Off the beaten path
Meaning: Unusual or not common.
Samples: They took an off-the-beaten-path idea for their science project. / Her style is off the beaten path.
To Put it Another Way: They chose something different. / She did something unexpected.
7. In a league of your own
Meaning: So different and better that you can’t be compared.
Samples: That athlete is in a league of her own. / His stories are in a league of their own.
To Put it Another Way: No one else is like them. / They’re really special.
8. Like no other
Meaning: Completely different from anything else.
Samples: The field trip was like no other. / Her laugh is like no other.
To Put it Another Way: It was very special. / Nothing else compares.
9. Ahead of your time
Meaning: Having ideas that are newer than most people’s.
Samples: His invention was ahead of its time. / She was ahead of her time with that smart idea.
To Put it Another Way: He thought of it before others. / Her ideas were new and smart.
10. Do your own thing
Meaning: To follow your own way, not copy others.
Samples: He always does his own thing at school. / She likes to do her own thing with her music.
To Put it Another Way: He doesn’t copy others. / She likes doing what feels right to her.
11. Think outside the box
Meaning: To think in a creative or different way.
Samples: She thought outside the box to solve the puzzle. / His idea for the project showed he was thinking outside the box.
To Put it Another Way: She used a smart and different way. / He had a new idea.
12. Blaze a trail
Meaning: To do something new that others will follow.
Samples: She blazed a trail by starting her own club. / His science idea blazed a trail at school.
To Put it Another Way: She did something new first. / He showed a new way.
13. Write your own story
Meaning: To live life in your own special way.
Samples: He wants to write his own story, not follow what others do. / She’s writing her own story by choosing a new path.
To Put it Another Way: He chooses his way. / She makes her own choices.
14. Carve your own path
Meaning: To create your own way of doing things.
Samples: She carved her own path with her art. / He carved his own path in school by trying new things.
To Put it Another Way: She made her own way. / He didn’t follow others.
15. Go against the grain
Meaning: To do something that is not normal or expected.
Samples: His idea goes against the grain, but it works. / She went against the grain by wearing mismatched shoes.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t do what’s common. / She did something surprising.
16. Set yourself apart
Meaning: To show how you are different from others.
Samples: Her kindness sets her apart. / He set himself apart with his great speech.
To Put it Another Way: She is special. / He stood out.
17. Dance to your own tune
Meaning: To live the way you want, not how others expect.
Samples: She dances to her own tune when she paints. / He dances to his own tune with his fashion.
To Put it Another Way: She follows her heart. / He does what feels right.
18. Not cut out of the same cloth
Meaning: To be very different from others.
Samples: They are not cut out of the same cloth as the rest of the class. / He’s not cut out of the same cloth he sees things differently.
To Put it Another Way: He’s different in a good way. / She’s not like others.
19. Be your own person
Meaning: To act and think in your own way.
Samples: She is her own person and doesn’t copy others. / He is his own person and speaks up.
To Put it Another Way: She decides for herself. / He follows his own mind.
20. Go your own way
Meaning: To choose a different path in life.
Samples: He went his own way and made a cool robot. / She chose to go her own way in how she studies.
To Put it Another Way: He made his own choices. / She picked her path.
21. A rare bird
Meaning: A person who is different and interesting.
Samples: He’s a rare bird who loves old maps. / She’s a rare bird with her unique hobbies.
To Put it Another Way: He’s one of a kind. / She’s not like most people.
22. A breath of fresh air
Meaning: Something or someone new and different in a good way.
Samples: Her idea was a breath of fresh air in the meeting. / He’s a breath of fresh air in the classroom.
To Put it Another Way: She brought something new. / He made things better and different.
23. Do things by your own rules
Meaning: To live or work in your own special way.
Samples: He does things by his own rules when he writes. / She plays the game by her own rules.
To Put it Another Way: He doesn’t follow the usual way. / She chooses how to do things.
24. Not follow the crowd
Meaning: To do what you want, not what everyone else is doing.
Samples: She didn’t follow the crowd and wore purple shoes. / He doesn’t follow the crowd in what he reads.
To Put it Another Way: She does what she likes. / He chooses for himself.
25. Think for yourself
Meaning: To make your own decisions.
Samples: He thinks for himself and asks smart questions. / She thinks for herself, even if others don’t agree.
To Put it Another Way: He has his own ideas. / She makes her own choices.
26. Ahead of the curve
Meaning: Smarter or more modern than others.
Samples: His design is ahead of the curve. / She’s ahead of the curve with her science ideas.
To Put it Another Way: She’s thinking faster than others. / He’s already doing what others haven’t tried yet.
27. Go off-script
Meaning: To do something unexpected or not planned.
Samples: She went off-script during her speech. / He went off-script and surprised us.
To Put it Another Way: She did something her own way. / He didn’t follow what was written.
28. Outside the norm
Meaning: Not usual or expected.
Samples: Her outfit was outside the norm. / His answers were outside the norm but smart.
To Put it Another Way: It wasn’t regular. / He surprised us with new ideas.
29. A diamond in the rough
Meaning: Someone with great talent that’s not easy to see at first.
Samples: He’s a diamond in the rough with his quiet skills. / She’s a diamond in the rough in art class.
To Put it Another Way: He’s better than he seems. / She has special talent.
30. Make waves
Meaning: To get noticed by doing something new or different.
Samples: He made waves with his new invention. / She made waves in class with her strong opinion.
To Put it Another Way: People paid attention to him. / She stood out with her actions.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Unique
Reading Passage: “The School Election Surprise”
At Jefferson Elementary, the 5th-grade class was holding elections for the student council. Most kids wore similar shirts and gave speeches that sounded the same. But not Maya. She decided to march to the beat of her own drum. She wore a homemade sash and sang her ideas in a funny jingle. Everyone laughed and clapped.
Some students said her style was off the beaten path, but others liked how she did her own thing. “She’s definitely one of a kind,” said Jake. “She really knows how to stand out from the crowd.”
Even her poster was different. While others showed pictures of books and rules, Maya drew a comic strip. “That girl is cut from a different cloth,” whispered Ms. Harris, smiling. “She always seems to think outside the box.”
On election day, Maya didn’t expect to win. But her name was called, and cheers filled the room. She was surprised but proud. “I just wanted to be my own person,” she said. “It feels good to know I can carve my own path.”
Your Task:
Can you find and list all 8 idioms about being unique in the story?
Answer Key
- March to the beat of her own drum
- Off the beaten path
- One of a kind
- Stand out from the crowd
- Cut from a different cloth
- Think outside the box
- Be my own person
- Carve my own path
Conclusion
Being different is not a bad thing. It means you have your own ideas and style. Using idioms can help describe people who don’t just follow what others do. These phrases show that being unique can be a strength.
Whether someone writes their own story or thinks outside the box, these expressions help explain that in a fun way. Try using these idioms when you see someone doing something their own way. It can help your writing and speaking feel more real and interesting.
