Have you ever felt like a "fifth wheel?" Found out what this expression means in this episode of English in a Minute! Originally published at - learningenglish.voanews.com/me...
In the Fire Emblem video game series, a Nintendo franchise dating back to the Famicom/NES in 1990, “fifth wheel” can be used to refer to a situational or mediocre character that players can do without, and if there is a weapon or item that can fix the said character’s flaws, an option exists to use it better than he or she can.
American Idol has fifth wheels among finalists: Leah LaBelle was the fifth wheel among American Idol III’s top 12. Jasmine Murray was the fifth wheel among American Idol VIII’s top 13. Ashthon Jones was the fifth wheel among American Idol X’s top 13. Jeremy Rosado was the fifth wheel among American Idol XI’s top 13. Gianna Isabella was the fifth wheel among American Idol XV’s top 10. However, years later after their stint on American Idol, a 180 occurs on them. Hence they were unpopular then but popular now.
