belonging
be·long·ing
B0179900 (bĭ-lông′ĭng, -lŏng′-)belonging
(bɪˈlɒŋɪŋ)be•long•ing
(bɪˈlɔŋ ɪŋ, -ˈlɒŋ-)n.
Belonging
- As much at home … as a fish in water —Honoré de Balzac
An enduring comparison, as illustrated by a 1986 quote from the New York Times: “We belong … like fish in water. We’re in our environment.”
- As much out of his element as an eel in a sand bag —H. G. Bohn’s Handbook of Proverbs
- As well adapted to the purpose as a one-pronged fork for pitching hay —Herman Melville
- (She had) clicked into place [as teacher in school] like a well-hung door closing evenly —Barry Targan
- Felt as well placed in the world as a fresh loaf of bread —Laurie Colwin
- Fit [poor fit] like a breeching on a pig —Anon
- Fit like a duck’s foot in the mud —Anon
- Fit … like a tongue into a groove —Jonathan Valin
In the novel, Life’s Work, the simile refers to the way a man’s body fits into a chair.
- Fits as a hollow fits a circle —Anon
- Fits him as easily as his skin —Thomas Hughes
- Fits like the skin on a sausage —Anon
- Fitted (into their scheme of life) as a well-made reel fits the butt of a good rod —Henry Van Dyke
- Fitted in like a Marine in a parade —William Beechcroft
- Fitted (its new home) like a coin in a slot —George Garrett
- Fitting comfortable and heavy like a gun in a holster —George Garrett
- Like a barber’s chair, fit for everyone —Thomas Fuller
- Like Miniver Cheevy, he had been born too late —Joseph Heller
See Also: TIMELINESS/UNTIMELINESS
- Looking as lost as a shipwrecked mariner —Yisrael Zarchi
- [Feel] misplaced ... as if she had been expelled from a dream in which she would have dearly loved to remain —Milan Kundera
- Part of the landscape, like a tree —John Updike
- Swam as happily in society as a fish swam in schools —Susan Fromberg Schaeffer
| Noun | 1. |  belonging - happiness felt in a secure relationship; "with his classmates he felt a sense of belonging" |