Out of character means not like someone, unusual for them. It describes an action that's very different from how a person usually behaves: Arriving without a plan was completely out of character for Nia. It works for buildings too: a glass extension out of character with the old stone cottage doesn't match the style of the house.
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be / act out of character; out of character for someone; out of character with something
- Arriving without a plan was completely out of character for Nia.
- The quiet goalkeeper acted out of character and shouted at the referee.
- The glass extension looked out of character with the old stone cottage.
What changed
First versionHis impatient reply was not in his character.
RevisionHis impatient reply was out of character for him.
Not in his character looks like a logical way to say 'not part of his personality'. People will understand, but it sounds clumsy. English says out of character for him.
Out of place means not suiting the setting: a loud laugh out of place in a library. Out of character means not suiting the person: a loud laugh out of character for shy Tom. In character is the reverse: 'typical of him'.
Your turn
This is very different from her usual behaviour: It is ___ for her.
Show the answer
out of character — The fixed expression is out of character for her. Not in her character is a word-for-word version that English speakers don't usually say.
Your always punctual friend was an hour late. Say so in one sentence with out of character for.
Being an hour late is out of character for Max — he's usually early.
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