22 Misused Idioms That Make You Sound Like An Idiot
Okay, maybe that title is a bit harsh. We’ve all mixed up an common phrase or idiom at one point or another due to mishearing it: a phenomenon known as an eggcorn. Nonetheless, people judge one another based on their attention to details, and when you make a mistake with your grammar or an idiomatic phrase, you risk putting yourself in a position of inferiority if your addressee catches your blunder. These are 22 mistaken idioms that you don’t want to catch yourself saying or writing at risk of someone looking down on your intelligence:
1. A blessing in the skies -> A blessing in disguise
This one seems to make a little sense, as if we’re referring to a blessing from the heavens; however, this idiom is meant to describe a blessing that may not at first appear to be a blessing
2. Nip it in the butt -> Nip it in the bud
This idiom should not be referring to a small dog bite in the rear or a light case of sexual assault. Instead, it refers to stopping something in its early stages of development, utilizing the analogy to a plant that has not yet had the chance to bloom.
3. Deep-seeded -> Deep-seated
While you may be tempted to make another plant analogy when referring to a deeply rooted emotion, stop yourself and instead refer to the depth of one’s seat. While deep-seeded may seem to make more sense, it also makes sense that it is difficult to rise when you are sitting in a seat that sinks deep into the ground.
4. Could care less -> Couldn’t care less
It’s ambiguous to say that you could care less. Could you also care more? If you want to display to someone how little you care, tell them that your level of care is at an absolute minimum and that you couldn’t care less
5. One in the same -> One and the same
While these two phrases sound very similar when you’re talking, you don’t want to be caught miswriting this one. To say two things are one and the same, you’re essentially saying they are indistinguishable. To say two things are one in the same just doesn’t make much sense
6. Statue of limitations -> Statute of Limitations
There is no statue that limits the time after a crime during which you are able to be prosecuted. Instead, make sure that you are referring to a statute, or law, that restricts the window of time when you are liable to face charges.
7. For all intensive purposes -> For all intents and purposes
No matter how intense your purposes may be, you want to be sure to write about the intents and purposes when you are trying to describe how something is practical for all purposes.
8. Getting off scotch free -> Getting off scot free
When you describe someone escaping without any punishments or repercussions, make sure you don’t accidentally refer to them being free from whiskey or Scotch tape, but rather free from any scot, or tax payment.
9. Complete 360 degree change -> Complete 180 degree change
When you’re looking to make a complete change, you don’t want to end up back where you started. Instead, try to be facing the opposite direction, 180 degrees away from your starting point.
10. Curl up in the feeble position -> Curl up in the fetal position
No matter how weak and feeble you look curled up in a ball, the proper idiomatic reference here is to a fetus, which which sits curled up in its mother’s stomach with its knees tucked in.
11. First come, first serve -> First come, first served
If you’re looking to talk about how the early bird gets the worm, make sure you don’t imply that the first person to arrive is tasked with the chore of serving others. Those who are early instead are the ones who deserve to be the recipients of others’ servings.
12. Shoe-in -> Shoo-in
When you’re talking about something being nearly guaranteed, you don’t want to accidentally refer to their shoes, even if it seems like they have one foot in the door. Instead, imagine the dialogue of someone telling them to “shoo” and go “in” already, because they are all but a lock for a position.
13. Dare to step foot in -> Dare to set foot in
Make sure not to command your foot to take a step when you are talking about forbidden territory. The proper idiom relates to the idea of setting one’s foot down in a place where it should not be.
14. Doggy-dog world -> Dog-eat-dog world
When you’re describing the brutal and cannibalistic nature of the world, make sure not to refer to it as some canine dominated cosmos. Unless you’re Snoop Dogg and have a career out of making dog puns, you’ll want to get this one right to avoid embarrassment.
15. Slight of hand -> Sleight of hand
For a misleading trick, you want to be on top of your homonyms and make sure that you describe someone’s sleight, or use of cunning, rather than the slender figure of their hand.
16. Peaked my interest -> Piqued my interest
Even if your interest is at an all-time high, make sure to talk about your interest being stimulated rather than reaching its summit.
17. Case and point -> Case in point
If you’ve just finished a flawless argument, the last thing you want to do to cap it off is mix up an idiom with an eggcorn. Be sure not to describe your whole case, or argument, and your specific point, but rather how your entire case lies in your final specific point.
18. Mute point -> Moot point
Again, if you’re in an argument and want to question a point that someone else has made, don’t imply that you’re pressing the mute button and that they should be silent. Instead, refer to how their argument is moot, or worthy of further debate or argument because of its uncertainty.
19. Be at someone’s beckon call -> Be at someone’s beck and call
Not only is a beckon call redundant, it is incorrect. The correct usage is to refer to your necessity of responding to someone’s beck, or gesture, and their call.
20. Hunger pains -> Hunger pangs
Hunger pains isn’t an entirely incorrect phrase to describe to intense hunger that irritates one’s stomach. However, hunger pangs is the more commonly accepted version that is more specific to the suddenness and sharpness of stomach discomfort due to hunger.
21. Fall by the waste side -> Fall by the wayside
When you are talking about something no longer being active as it is pushed aside, make sure not to refer to waste. It should fall by the wayside, or the side of the way/road, rather than suddenly occupying some imaginary side filled with waste.
22. Jive with -> Jibe with
If you’re smelling what someone is stepping in or appreciate what they are doing, make sure not to refer to their slang or dance, but rather demonstrate how you jibe, or agree, with them.
Thanks for reading!! Hopefully you can avoid future embarrassment now that you know some more of these commonly misused phrases. If you have any other common eggcorns to share or appreciated the article, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
