What does "third wheeling" mean?
What does "third wheeling" or "(to be) a third wheel" mean?🛞🛞+🛞=😬
MEANING
"Third wheeling", or more commonly "(to be) a third wheel" is a colloquial phrase that refers to the experience of feeling like an unnecessary or unwanted third person in a social situation, especially when two other people are romantically involved or otherwise close.
The phrase is often used to describe the feeling of being a third person on a date or in a romantic outing, where the third person may feel like they are intruding or not wanted.
If you are the third wheel, you feel awkward and wish you had stayed at home!
You can remember the meaning by imagining a bicycle. A bicycle only needs two wheels to work; a third wheel would be unnecessary.
EXAMPLE DIALOGUE
Person 1: "Hey, do you want to come out with me and my boyfriend tonight?"
Person 2: "I don't want to be a third wheel. You two should have a nice night together."
PRACTICE EXERCISES
Who is the third wheel in this picture? Write a short paragraph or story about the people in this picture, including the phrase "third wheel".
Write a short paragraph describing a time when you felt like a third wheel.
What does third wheeling mean?
Third-wheeling refers to being the third person in a group or situation where there are already two people who are romantically involved. This means that the third person is not part of the romantic relationship and may feel left out or uncomfortable. It can also refer to being the third person in a group of friends where two people are very close, causing the third person to feel like they are not as close or included. In general, third wheeling can feel like an outsider or like you are not as important as the other two people.