It’s amazing to me how frequently you hear a mixed metaphor. Maybe it’s just me, but I am hypersensitive to the use of them. I have said to my friends many times that I am going to start making and keeping a list of mixed metaphors. I will add to the list every time I hear one.
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things. The more familiar thing helps describe the less familiar one. And, a mixed metaphor is a combination of images that do not work well together.
Recently, a fellow staff member suggested that I start posting them to my blog. I’m thinking that unless others are equally interested in them, these posts will probably not get much attention. They’ve even suggested that I go so far as to create a Mixed Metaphor category for these posts.
The supply of mixed metaphors is truly endless. It seems I hear a different one every other day. I am going to really try to write them down and post them here as they happen!
Here’s a short list of the few that I’ve written down so far:
• Walking a thin cliff
• Drowning in a field of opportunity
• Stepping up to the plate and grabbing the bull by the horns
• The spur of the hat
• Laying all of the cards on the line
• The storm of protest was nipped in the bud
• A dollar late and a day short
• Hitting the nail right between the eyes
What’s your favorate mixed metaphor? Leave a comment below, or stop by and say “hello” on Twitter or Facebook.
May 16th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
That’s like fiddling the deck chairs while the Titanic burns.
January 12th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Grab the bull by the horns and run with it.
January 12th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Dano,
Awesome! Great additions to the list!
Thanks for staying true to keeping the very best mixed medaphors posted here on Executive Pastor Online!
January 12th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Was listening to ESPN radio last week in the car and one of the commentators on there was using mixed metaphors left and right, like they were going out of style! In the matter of 3 minutes, he managed to drop 1. “That’s got deja vu written all over it!” 2. “He is one bright cookie” (pretty sure its sharp cookie) and 3. “I’m just gonna take a stab in the dark” (isn’t it shot in the dark or take a stab at it)?!?!?? All the while I couldn’t wait to post such insanity, right here on ExecutivePastorOnline.com, the home of mixed metaphors galore
October 29th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
“Clapping at the top of your lungs!”
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 am
Man! I’m really up against the 8 ball!
October 21st, 2009 at 2:08 pm
He’ll be all over you like white on a cheap suit!
October 8th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Don’t beat a dead horse in the mouth!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:04 am
Die on the fence.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
John,
I’ll check it out!
Thanks …
September 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Kevin,
There’s a great list of mixed metaphors at the following site.
http://therussler.tripod.com/dtps/mixed_metaphors.html
You should add them to your collection.
September 30th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Awesome additions to the list!
Thanks!
September 30th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
We could stand here and talk until the cows turn blue in the face.
I wouldn’t be caught dead there with a ten-foot pole.
He’s burning the midnight oil from both ends.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
“Then we’ll be able to kill two birds with one bush.”