out of one's league

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kat2006

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when someone is saying "i am out of your league", is she/he actually trying to say "you are not good enough for me" something like that, or it might be that she/he is just saying "we are not the same type"?

thanks for answering my question.
 

Ouisch

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This is something that truly depends upon the tone of voice and facial expression when spoken. Most of the time, when someone is described as "out of his/her league" it means that they'll never measure up to that person - he/she is too good-looking, too athletic, too smart, etc. For example, I might see a George Clooney look-alike at a party, and my friend might encourage me to go talk to him, saying "He's here alone, he didn't bring a date, go say 'hello'". And I would smile ruefully and say in a defeated tone of voice, "No way, I'm totally out of his league" meaning that I'm no supermodel and this man would never give me a second glance.

However, at that same party, if I approach a person whom I know is single and say "You should come meet Eugene, he's really nice and he's here alone" and that person looks over at Eugene, decides that he's a nerd and says "I am out of his league" in a haughty tone, accompanied by a look of minor revulsion, it indicates that this person thinks she is better looking/smarter/richer (etc) than Eugene and to befriend him would be beneath her. :-?
 

Rover_KE

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I take this phrase only to mean worse than (in the qualities listed by Ouisch.

Rover
 

kat2006

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thank you Ouisch. your explanation is very helpful.
and thank you Rover too.
 
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