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Keeping busy in the language lab, mixing metaphors
Not to spill the cat out of the beanbag, but this is no bowl of cherries at the beach
On a recent MyRagan forum post, we asked readers to offer their favorite mixed metaphors. We did so after someone sent me a real beaut: "Barking up a dead horse."
Well, the mixed metaphors starting raining in like the cat’s pajamas. Some malapropisms were included, but we’ve decided to save those for a brainy day.
Thanks to all who contributed the following gem dandies.
A Detroit News business writer reported this week that a gourmet market is "beefing up the produce section."
“He stepped onto the field and grabbed the bull by the horns.”
“Unless we tighten our belts, we'll sink like a stone.”
"It's not rocket surgery" comes to mind.
“It's like shooting ducks in a barrel.”
I actually heard a woman at work say, "Yeah, but he's no rocket genius."
“Not the smartest tool in the shed.”
I once overheard an HR associate talking to a supervisor about how handle a potentially bad employee situation: "We need to nip this in the butt!"
A former boss of mine after a particularly unpleasant meeting with his board of directors: "It's like going to a crucifixion and having to bring your own matches."
I have a dear friend who is the unintentional queen of mixed metaphors. Some of her better ones came while awaiting the decision as to whether or note she would land a big account. "I'd love to be a fly on a hamburger in that meeting" and upon hearing that the account would go elsewhere: "Oh well, every thorn has its bush".
"Like a bull in a China cabinet."
"You can't see the forest if you're barking up the wrong tree."
"We don't want to screw ourselves in the foot."
"The ball is squarely on our shoulders."
"It's not our cross to grind."
My Executive Director is fond of apologizing for "raining on your thunder."
In describing a beautiful, sunny spring day: "It's as clear as a bird."
A young guy I worked with years ago came up with this great combo: "the whole nine balls of wax."
One reader offered a mother lode of plenty—it’s a Web page featuring mixed metaphors and malapropisms:
Here are some favorites:
We could stand here and talk until the cows turn blue.
It’s as easy as falling off a piece of cake.
He was watching me like I was a hawk.
You can’t change the spots on an old dog.
People are dying like hotcakes.
I wouldn’t be caught dead there with a ten-foot pole.
The fan is gonna hit the roof.
I have a lot of black sheep in my closet.
You can’t go in there cold turkey with egg on your face.
We have to get all our ducks on the same page.
He’s burning the midnight oil from both ends.
