Mixed Metaphors

[steveyo]

A couple posts near the end of the global warming thread gave me an idea to start this thread. I believe Dr. Science used "rattle your chain", which is a mixture of "rattle your cage" and "yank (or pull) your chain".

What good mixed metaphors have you heard used, and what situation were they in?

I heard a man ask "Are we lone horses?" in a business meeting. That mixes "lone wolf" and "wild horses". I also heard a colleague say "She's a tough cookie to crumble".

A friend of mine (a veterinarian) heard a woman say "I've been through that dog with a 10-foot pole", which floored me when I heard it.

Another buddy heard "yeah, and that's just the tip of the bucket" in a meeting.

Also, a cop told my friend Mike, "Now you're sinking your teeth into something that's gonna really bear fruit.", which is maybe the funniest one I've ever heard.

I've heard others, but can't bring them the to tip of my mind.;)

[Mikefule]

I'm not sure if this is a good idea for a thread. You may be chasing a red herrng up the wrong tree.

[steveyo]

I'm not sure if this is a good idea for a thread. You may be chasing a red herrng up the wrong tree.:D

If the only result is that I got a response from the elusive Mikefule, I'll be happy as a clam in a candyshop.

[Mikefule]

:D

If the only result is that I got a response from the elusive Mikefule, I'll be happy as a clam in a candyshop.

Surely you mean as happy as a pig in a poke?



Educational moment:

To buy a pig in a poke: to think you have bought a bargain, but to find out later that you hadn't asked enough questions, and you've bought something useless.

A "poke" is a Scottish term for a paper bag. If you bought a piglet in a paper bag (for example at a livestock fair) you would be disappointed to get home and find that the piglet was in fact a kitten.

The other half of the mixed metaphor is "As happy as a pig in sh*t" which is a slightly cruder version of "a sheep in clover".

[phlegm]

My father often says, "It don't mean a bean!" I believe it's a combination of "it don't mean a thing" and "it doesn't amount to a hill of beans." I guess that's what happens when you learn to speak English in your late 20s. :D

[Mikefule]

My father often says, "It don't mean a bean!" I believe it's a combination of "it don't mean a thing" and "it doesn't amount to a hill of beans." I guess that's what happens when you learn to speak English in your late 20s. :D

It don't mean a bean if it ain't got that sweeng!

[tumblebug rollin]

me importa un comino!!

[digigal1]

My boss, all the time: "The dime is in their court."

I know it's supposed to be "the ball is in their court" and I'm only assuming he's mixing in "on their dime" but I never want to ask because my boss's mind is a scary thing to waste.

hmmm.

[yoopers]

What's a metaphor?









It's for cows to eat grass in.

[vanpaun]

your in hot shit now.

(hot water, deep shit)

[Mikefule]

What's a metaphor?



My friend came to Nottingham for a few days and I metaphor coffee this morning.

[steveyo]

Wow, first I multiplied by infinity my number of Mifefule thread responses, then doubled it!

I feel high as a hope.

[Mikefule]

Wow, first I multiplied by infinity my number of Mifefule thread responses, then doubled it!

I feel high as a hope.

Mifefule?

Well, you don't have a snowball in a cat's chance of getting another response from Mikefule... You've had your cake and blown it.

[MuniAddict]

Don't eat with your mouth full!:D

[Nimbusnut]

I always thought it was weird when people said "I could care less", when "I couldn't care less" seemed more appropriate... But actually, I could care less...

[MuniAddict]

I always thought it was weird when people said "I could care less", when "I couldn't care less" seemed more appropriate... But actually, I could care less...What makes even less sense is when ppl say, I've got to *take* a pee..or worse lol! You *LEAVE* it dumbass! But that just doesn't sound right haha.:p

[steveyo]

Mifefule?

Well, you don't have a snowball in a cat's chance of getting another response from Mikefule... You've had your cake and blown it.Oops, must have been thinking with my head on fire.

[MuniAddict]

A rolling stone gathers mick jagger
smoke or get off the pot

[MuniAddict]

It's as American as killing two birds with one apple pie

[Rantz]

It's as American as killing two birds with one apple pie

And as Australian as a stunned goog...

[ivan]

Can I post idioms?

If yes, then hold on to your horses.

[dan de man]

What makes even less sense is when ppl say, I've got to *take* a pee..or worse lol! You *LEAVE* it dumbass! But that just doesn't sound right haha.:p
well it does cause when you take a pee ,the word pee is being used as a verb

its like going to take a drive ,you dont leave a drive

[Mikefule]

well it does cause when you take a pee ,the word pee is being used as a verb


Nope.

When you pee, the word pee is a verb.

When you take a pee, the word pee is a noun.

Or you could class the entire expression, take a pee, as a verb, although that would be clumsy and unnecessarily complicated.

The point being why say that you "take" something, when what you are doing is depositing something? It probably doesn't bear this level of analysis.:)

So back to the metaphors. Come on folks, best foot forwards, shoulder to the wheel, get your head down and put your back into it. Now try working in that position.

[blot]

Wow, with all the help on this site you folks make unicycling a piece of pie. Or perhaps I should say as easy as cake.

[MuniAddict]

To succeed, you must meet challenges headon, apply directly to the forehead!

Don't put all your chickens in one basket case

Early to bed, early bird special

you can't have your cake and eat at joes

walk sofltly, but carry on my wayward son.

There's no place like home depot

Great minds think before you act

fool me once shame on me, fool me twice bitten.

With all the hot women at the beach, I was hoping to meet a "10"...instead I metaphor.:cool:

[steveyo]

Well, I sort of had in mind actual mixed metaphors people had heard used in everyday conversation. All these made up ones are funny, but are more like a tree falling in a china shop.

[MuniAddict]

Well, I sort of had in mind actual mixed metaphors people had heard used in everyday conversation. All these made up ones are funny, but are more like a tree falling in a china shop.Ok...a leopard can't change its stripes.:p

[Mikefule]

Well, I sort of had in mind actual mixed metaphors people had heard used in everyday conversation.

Not quite metaphors, but you should read the Para Handy stories of Neil Munro.

In times of peril: "There I was, thinking each moment might be my next..."

[MuniAddict]

if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the cold:D

[Mikefule]

Here's one of Shakespeare's:

To take arms against a sea of troubles.

(Scholars argue over whether it was deliberate.)

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

[yoopers]

Walk softly and carry a big stick-in-the-mud.

[MuniAddict]

Don't do today, what you can put off until tomorrow never comes.:cool:

[UniBrier]

Real mixed metaphor: (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23934694/?GT1=43001)

"throw me a rope and bail me out here."

[kerosian]

A penny saved is worth two in the bush
People in glass houses sink ships
Don't cross the road if you can't leave the kitchen.

There is a few from Boondock Saints (good movie btw)

[RTLjune2008]

Are you wearing a kilt or just happy to see me?

All gooned up and no where to go.

I can see you play the fiddle, hand me that lobster.

The tide is high, welcome to Nova Scotia.

Best from the Bay of Fundy, the Bakka Valley of North America

william dockrill