Wheelhouse Meaning in English

word

US

ˈʍiːlˌhaʊs

WEEL-hows

UK

wˈiːlhaʊs

WEEL-hows

Definition

The part of a boat where the steering wheel is located; also, someone’s area of expertise or something they do very well (informal, figurative).

Usage & Nuances

Literally refers to a boat but is most often used informally in American English to mean a person's strong suit or area of skill. Common phrases: 'right in my wheelhouse' (something I’m good at), 'outside my wheelhouse' (not my strength). Rarely used in British English.

• Spanish: timonera - rueda (barco) - especialidad (figurado)
• Portuguese (BR): casa do leme - cabine de comando (barco) - especialidade (figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): casa do leme - cabine de comando (barco) - especialidade (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 驾驶舱 - 擅长领域 (比喻)
• Chinese (Traditional): 駕駛艙 - 擅長領域 (比喻)
• Hindi: व्हीलहाउस - विशेष क्षेत्र (रूपक)
• Arabic: غرفة الدفة - المجال المتخصص (مجازي)
• Bengali: চালকের কেবিন (জাহাজ) - দক্ষতার ক্ষেত্র
• Russian: рубка управления (корабля) - сфера компетенции
• Japanese: 操舵室 - 得意分野
• Vietnamese: buồng lái (tàu thuyền) - lĩnh vực sở trường
• Korean: 조타실 - 전문 분야
• Turkish: dümen evi (gemi) - uzmanlık alanı
• Urdu: اسٹیئرنگ روم (جہاز) - مہارت کا شعبہ
• Indonesian: ruang kemudi (kapal) - bidang keahlian

Example Sentences

The captain stood in the wheelhouse of the ship.

basic

The wheelhouse protects the captain from wind and rain.

basic

This type of job is in her wheelhouse.

basic

Making presentations is right in my wheelhouse.

natural

Sorry, this is a bit outside my wheelhouse.

natural

You should ask Tim—this is definitely in his wheelhouse.

natural