| Idiom | Fifth Wheel |
|---|---|
| Example | If he comes with us, he'll just be a fifth wheel. |
| Meaning | an unneeded, extra person |
| Origin | This is a proverb that was first used in France in the 16th century. A unicycle has one wheel; a bicycle has two wheels; a tricycle has three wheels; and wagons and cars have four wheels. No vehicle needs five wheels. The fifth wheel is a surplus thing, good for nothing. In the same way, if two couples are going out on a double date, an extra person who tags along could be called a "fifth wheel." |
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