Put in the shoulder grease

Posted: August 31, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A large, brass family heirloom was being restored, requiring a lot of physical effort, including polishing and rewiring. At some point, frustration set in, and this was said: “Well, I guess we just have to put in the shoulder grease to get this done.”

This is a conflation of several idioms, including “put in a good faith effort” (make a sincere attempt), “put your shoulder to the wheel” (make a sustained, concentrated effort), “use some elbow grease” (put in the hard work necessary), and maybe “grease the skids” (help prepare for or ease the way for the success). Then again, maybe shoulder grease is a little more effective than elbow grease. A big thanks to frequent contributor Verbatim for this multi-mixed malaphor.

We’ve got a little more time up our sleeve

Posted: August 14, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

An Australian engineer and fabricator is talking about different jobs he is working on and how it affects his priorities and how he finally has time to work on a project for himself and his shop.

I did a little research and this is not an Australian idiom as far as I know and instead is a malaphor. It is a mashup of “more time on your hands” (having more free time) and “a trick up one’s sleeve” (a secret plan). Props to Verbatim for catching this one and sending it in!

Trump’s approval is circling the toilet

Posted: August 12, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This is the headline for a USA Today opinion:

This is a congruent conflation of “circling the drain” and “going down the toilet”, both meaning to experience a rapidly worsening experience. Once again Frank King spotted this one. Bravo Frank!

He has a lot of work to do mending bridges

Posted: August 10, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Twitch streamer Hasan Piker rejected calls for Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to “mend bridges” with moderate party critics after a bitter primary, branding those demanding reconciliation as “Islamophobic” and telling them to “lock the f— in”. His remarks contrasted with El-Sayed’s own conciliatory pivot toward general election unity.

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6402857236112

This clip was played on the August 6, 2026 All In with Chris Hayes podcast. Hawk-eared Frank King noted the excellent malaphor, a congruent conflation of “mending fences” and building bridges”, both referring to improving relations between groups or individuals. Another tip of the hat to the amazing Frank King!

It hasn’t lived out

Posted: August 7, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

During a Mets/Dodgers broadcast on Fox, John Smoltz was talking about the Mets roster before the season started and said, “it was looking good but it hasn’t lived out”. This is a congruent conflation of “lived up to” and “worked out”, both meaning to be proven successful or as good as expected. A big thanks to Martin Pietrucha for hearing this one and passing it on to Malaphor Central.

mainliners

Posted: August 3, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Overheard at an airport…Two couples were discussing their vacation plans. “We are headed to Branson to catch some shows but we heard there are no mainliners playing right now.” This is a congruent conflation of “headliners” and “main acts”, both referring to performers that are star attractions. I think it is very possible there are a few “mainliners” performing in Branson. A shout out to Mike Kovacs for expert eavesdropping and catching this perfectly formed malaphor!

A lot of these reporters are not cowing to Trump

Posted: July 31, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This one was heard on the Friday, July 24, 2026 All in with Chris Hayes podcast. It appears at the 45:00 minute mark:

Jen Psaki was talking about the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner and the fact that the awardees and attendees are not afraid of Trump. This is a conflation of “kowtowing” (obeying someone in power) and “cowering” (shrinking in fear). Both words fit the context, and “cowing” is a nice blend of the two. A big thanks to Frank King for hearing this one and sending it in!

A lick and a prayer

Posted: July 27, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

There was a discussion about selling an RV in Florida and that it will require a bit of luck and hard work. “He will need a lick and a prayer.” This is a conflation of “on a wing and a prayer” (only the slightest chance of success) and “a lick and a promise” (a quick and careless attempt to do something). The speaker may have been thinking “luck” given the context but it came out “lick”. A tip of the hat to Leslie Geier for sending this one in!

They kill them like they’re candy

Posted: July 25, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , | 3 Comments

During a press briefing addressing the ongoing military conflict and humanitarian crisis involving Iran, Trump was asked about the actions of the Iranian regime. He used a malaphor to highlight the random, widespread slaughter of civilians and protesters by hardline authorities earlier in the year:

“Young kids. They kill ’em. They kill ’em like they’re … like they’re … uhh … candy. It’s crazy what they do. They treat them so badly. They’re just killing people at random and nobody talks about it.” https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/kill-them-uh-candy-trump-161044395.html

This is a mashup of “killing them with kindness” (responding to someone’s hostility with politeness and warmth) and “like taking candy from a baby” (a task that is extremely easy and takes little effort). A shout out to Mike Kovacs for hearing this one and sending it in!

He’s a one-man wrecking ball

Posted: July 22, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Baltimore Orioles announcer Kevin Brown was talking about the Houston Astros and specifically Yordan Alvarez, who he described as “a one-man wrecking ball.” This is a mash-up of “one-man wrecking crew” (describing a person who single handedly dominates a situation) and “a wrecking ball” (in slang, an aggressive, unstoppable person or thing). Given the context, “one-man team” (a single person who perform all the duties or responsibilities of an entire group). A big shout out to Bob Marchinetti for hearing this one and sending it in.

This one would be perfect in my new malaphor book, “Backseat Quarterback: Malaphors from the Sports World“, available now on Amazon! Get your copy today! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G9JXP8L3

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