Have you ever heard someone use a phrase that just didn’t sound right? It happens a lot! Some expressions are so often misused that people start thinking the wrong version is correct. Let’s look at some of these common mix-ups and learn the right way to say them.
“Escape goat”
When someone is wrongly blamed for another person’s mistakes, you might hear them called an “escape goat.” However, that’s not the correct term. The right word is “scapegoat,” which comes from a religious practice where people’s sins were symbolically placed on a goat that was then sacrificed to remove wrongdoing.
“I could care less”
Saying “I could care less” when you actually mean that you don’t care at all is a mistake. If you think about it, saying “I could care less” implies that you still care somewhat, since it’s possible for you to care less. The correct phrase is “I couldn’t care less,” which means you don’t care at all.
“Doggy dog world”
You might have heard the phrase “doggy dog world” and just repeated it as it sounds, but that doesn’t really make sense. The correct saying is “dog-eat-dog world,” which refers to a highly competitive environment where everyone is out for themselves.
“Could of”
This one’s a common grammatical mistake. The correct phrase is “could have” to show that something was possible, like saying you could have gone to the party but didn’t. “Could of” doesn’t make sense, but it’s an easy error to make because “could have” is often shortened to “could’ve,” which sounds just like “could of.” The same goes for “would’ve” and “would of.”
“Butt naked”
If you’re naked, it’s easy to see why people often say “butt naked.” However, the original phrase is actually “buck naked” when describing someone who’s completely naked. The origin of “buck naked” is unclear, but “buck” may have been a derogatory term used in the past, possibly referring to Native Americans, who were often depicted as naked in early popular culture.
“By in large”
Admittedly, neither “by in large” nor “by and large” seems to make much sense. However, “by and large” is the correct expression, used to mean “overall” or “on the whole.” This phrase likely originated as a 17th-century sailing term when sailors were navigating their ships.
“Do a 360”
You might say you’re “doing a 360” when you mean you’re going in a completely different direction. But if you think about it, this isn’t accurate. A 360-degree turn would bring you right back to where you started. The correct expression is “do a 180.” A 180-degree turn takes you in the opposite direction, which is what you likely intend to say.
“For all intensive purposes”
Many people mistakenly say “for all intensive purposes” because it sounds similar to “for all intents and purposes,” so it’s easy to see where the confusion comes from. While “for all intensive purposes” might seem to make sense, suggesting that your purposes are intense and focused, the correct phrase is actually “for all intents and purposes.” This means “in a practical sense.”
“On route”
If you want to tell someone you’re on the way, you might text them saying you’re “on route.” However, this isn’t correct. This mistake is likely due to how the correct term sounds, which is actually “en route.” Borrowed from French, “en route” means that you’re on or along the way.
“First-come first-serve”
The last thing you’d want to hear is “first-come, first-serve.” People often say this to mean that the first to arrive gets rewarded, but the correct phrase is actually “first-come, first-served.” This way, the first person is the one being served, not the one doing the serving!
“Wet your appetite”
Saying you’ll “wet your appetite” before a meal doesn’t make much sense, as an appetite can’t be wet. The correct phrase is actually “whet your appetite.” Although “whet” is an old-fashioned word, it means “to stimulate,” which fits perfectly when talking about increasing your appetite before a meal.
“Baited breath”
This is more of a spelling error, like “on route,” but it’s a common mistake. Instead of saying you’re waiting for something with “baited breath,” the correct phrase is “bated breath.” While “baited” suggests being teased with bait, which could almost make sense, “bated” means to reduce or hold back, indicating that you’re waiting with restraint or suspense.
“Shoe-in”
If you’ve got a good chance at a job or opportunity, you might say you’re a “shoe-in” for it. While this might seem logical, it’s not the correct phrase. The right expression is actually “shoo-in,” which means something or someone that’s easily ushered in or guaranteed to succeed.
“On tender hooks”
The phrase “on tender hooks” doesn’t make much sense, which is a clue that it’s incorrect. If you’re anxiously waiting for something, the correct expression is “on tenterhooks.” Tenterhooks were originally used to stretch fabric across a frame called a “tenter,” leaving the fabric taut and fragile, just like how you might feel when you’re on edge.
“Free reign”
If you let someone take control, you might say you’re giving them “free reign,” implying they’ll rule like a monarch. While this might seem logical, it’s actually incorrect. The right phrase is “free rein,” which comes from horseback riding. It means loosening the reins, allowing the horse – or person – to choose their own path.
“Unphased”
Although “unphased” sounds just like “unfazed,” only the latter is correct. The word “faze” means to disturb or unsettle, so if you’re unfazed by something, it means you’re not bothered by it. “Unphased,” however, refers to something that’s not in a particular order or sequence, which is unrelated to remaining calm or untroubled.
“Worse-case scenario”
It might seem logical to say you’re preparing for a “worse-case scenario,” implying a situation worse than your current one. However, the correct phrase is “worst-case scenario,” which refers to the absolute worst possible outcome where things are insurmountably bad.
“Hunger pains”
If you’re feeling peckish, you might say you’re having “hunger pains.” While it is possible to feel pain related to hunger, that’s not quite the dramatic expression you probably intended. The correct phrase for that churning feeling in your stomach is “hunger pangs.”
“Statue of limitations”
This mistake is very common, but it doesn’t make sense when you think about it. Unless you’re talking about a stone sculpture with a list of limits inscribed on it, the phrase you actually mean is “statute of limitations.” This term refers to a law that outlines the limited timeframe in which legal actions can be initiated.
“Waiting on someone”
The only time you can correctly say you’re “waiting on someone” is if you’re working as a waiter at a restaurant or bar. Otherwise, if you’ve arrived first to meet a friend or colleague, you should say that you’re “waiting for someone.”
“Case in point”
If you’re in the midst of an argument or debate, you might say “case and point” to illustrate an example. However, the correct phrase is actually “case in point.” This expression originally comes from legal terminology, referring to a guideline for judges to follow when making decisions in similar cases.
“Pour over”
Saying you’ll “pour over” something might be correct if you’re talking about a recipe involving liquids. In most other cases, you probably mean to say that you’ll “pore over” it. When you pore over something, it means you’re carefully inspecting or studying it, with “pore” in this context meaning to examine intensely or reflect upon.
“Deep-seeded”
If something’s described as deep-seeded, you might think it means it’s deeply embedded, like a seed in soil. While that interpretation makes sense in a way, it’s not entirely correct. The proper phrase is “deep-seated,” which refers to something that’s firmly established or hidden beneath the surface.
“On accident”
It’s common to hear people say they did something “on accident,” but this is incorrect. The correct phrase is “by accident.” If you’re not a native English speaker, it’s understandable, as this phrase can be confusing. The opposite expression is correctly referred to as “on purpose,” not “by purpose!”
“Extract revenge”
Getting revenge might seem like it could involve all sorts of extraction, but it’s incorrect to say you’re “extracting revenge.” The correct phrase is actually “exact revenge.” In this context, “exact” means to demand or take revenge from the person who wronged you.
“Slight of hand”
If you think a magician is using “slight of hand” to deceive you, that’s not quite correct. Although it sounds the same, the right phrase is “sleight of hand.” “Slight” refers to an insult or something small, while “sleight” describes a form of trickery used in magic.
“Peak my interest”
We can see why people say “peak my interest”—it seems logical, as if your interest is heightened to a peak. However, the correct phrase is actually “pique my interest.” The word “pique” comes from French and means “to stimulate.”
“To be pacific”
Many people confuse the word “specific” with “pacific.” If you’re getting into the fine details, the correct term to use is “specific.” On the other hand, “pacific” means peaceful or averse to conflict, and it can also refer to the Pacific Ocean.
“Sneak peak”
If you’re getting a cheeky glimpse of something before others do, you should say you’re getting “a sneak peek,” not a “sneak peak.” “Peek” means to look at something briefly, while “sneak” refers to being furtive or stealthy. In contrast, “peak” refers to the top of a mountain.
“Scott free”
If you’ve been saying you got off “Scott free” with something, that’s a mistake. Who is the mysterious Scott? The correct phrase is “scot-free,” which comes from 12th century England and means unpenalized or unharmed.
“Tongue and cheek”
If you’re trying to convey that your statement was meant to be sarcastic or cheeky, the correct phrase is “tongue in cheek.” Unfortunately, many people mistakenly say “tongue and cheek.”
“In regards to”
Regarding this phrase, “in regards to” is grammatically incorrect. If you want to express “in relation to” in a professional manner, the correct phrase is “with regard to.” Also, it’s better to use “with regard to” rather than “with regards to.”
“Use to”
Saying that you “use to” play guitar is incorrect. The correct phrase is “used to” play guitar. “Used to” indicates something that repeatedly happened in the past. In contrast, the word “use” is only correct as a present tense verb or noun.
“Chomping at the bit”
Almost everyone says “chomping at the bit” to express eagerness, but that’s not correct. The proper phrase is “champing at the bit.” The word “champ” refers to horses biting or chewing restlessly.
“Jive with”
If you’re jiving with someone, it means you’re dancing together. If there’s no dancing involved, saying you “jive with” them is incorrect. Instead, you should say you’re “jibing with” them to indicate you’re getting along well. You could also say, more casually, that you’re “vibing with” them.
“Irregardless”
This is another common mistake. If you’ve been using “irregardless” in your work emails, it’s time to stop—it’s not a real word. The correct term is “regardless,” meaning without regard. Using “irregardless” creates a double negative, which doesn’t make sense.
“Damp squid”
The correct phrase is “damp squib,” not “damp squid.” The confusion is understandable—what is a “squib”? It refers to a small explosive device that wouldn’t function properly if it got wet. That’s why “damp squib” is used to describe an event or performance that turns out to be disappointing when you expected it to be exciting.
“Nip it in the butt”
It seems people enjoy saying the word “butt!” However, it’s incorrectly used here. If you want to put an end to something before it starts, the correct phrase is “nip it in the bud,” meaning to stop it before it has a chance to grow. In contrast, nipping something in the butt suggests biting its behind.
“Wouldn’t say boo to a ghost”
The phrase “boo to a ghost” makes no sense—after all, wouldn’t a ghost be the one saying “boo”? To describe someone who is timid and nervous, the correct phrase is “they wouldn’t say boo to a goose.” This implies that the person is too frightened to even confront a harmless situation.
“Piece of mind”
When someone says they have “peace of mind,” it means they feel safe, secure, and at ease. However, saying you have “piece of mind” doesn’t make sense. This mix-up may stem from the phrase “giving someone a piece of your mind,” which means to scold or tell someone off.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.