に(も)なく

Phrase (Advanced 411)

A phrase that means something unusual happens or someone does something unusual.

Equivalent: Unusually; more ~ than usual

彼女は今日はいつに(も)なく陽気だった。
She was unusually cheerful today.
宏は「ただいまー」といつになく明るい声で帰ってきた。
Hiroshi came home and said "I'm home!" in an unusually cheerful voice.
普段はたいていビールや日本酒だが、たまに柄にもなくバーにカクテルを飲みに行ったりする。
Usually I drink beer or sake, but occasionally I may go out for cocktails at a bar, which is unlike me.
今年は例年になく猛暑で、いつもは省エネを心がけている私が、いつの間にかクーラーをかけてしまっている。
This year has been unusually hot, a real scorcher. I usually try hard to save energy, but I find myself turning on the cooler.
気になっていた彼女が隣に座ったので、僕の心は我にもなく弾んだ。
The woman I've got a crush on sat next to me, so my heart started pounding with excitement, which is unlike me.

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