Let me run this up the ladder
Posted: May 9, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: blended idioms, expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentThis was a response to a suggestion given in an email. It is a mashup of “run this up the flagpole” (to present an idea to supervisors or stakeholders to get their reaction) and “climb (up) the (corporate) ladder” (advance one’s career through hard work). My guess is that the mixup occurred with the word “run” as it may have prompted the mind to think of “rung” and hence the word “ladder” for “flagpole”. A big shout out to Susan Edwards for spotting this one and sending it in.
It never came to the light of day
Posted: May 4, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: CounterClock, expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentOn the podcast, CounterClock, season 3 is about the Pelley family murders in 1989. One commentator said, “there was so much evidence that never came to the light of day.” This is a conflation of “come to light” (become widely known or evident) and “see the light of day” (comes into existence). Both idioms have similar meanings which means this could be a congruent conflation. Props to Anthony Kovacs for hearing this subtle mashup and sending it in.
It caused me to stop in my steps
Posted: May 1, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentIn a recent interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Cook mentions that the first time he received a note from a customer saying that their life had been saved by an Apple Watch, “It caused me to just stop in my steps.”
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/23/tim-cook-apple-maps-launch-his-really-big-mistake/
This is a mashup of “stopped in my tracks” (suddenly stopped doing something because of a surprise) and perhaps because of the construction “spring in my step” (happy, confident mood). “Take a step back” (withdraw to reflect on something) might also be in the mix based on the context. A big thanks to Peter H. for spotting this one and sending it in.
They’re in good shoes
Posted: April 27, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphor, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentThis one was heard on a hockey podcast. The commentators were talking about a hockey team performing well and comparing their stats to historically excellent teams, showing that the stats were similar. One commentator then said that “they’re in good shoes” becuase of it. This is a mashup of “in good company” (to be in the same situation as someone important or respected) and “to fill/step into someone’s shoes” (to replace somone in some role). Reminds me of the ad, “you’re in good hands with Allstate.” Kudos to Andy Jacobs for hearing this one and sending it in.
We’re sitting on fumes
Posted: April 24, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, malaphors, mixed idioms, Overtime with Bill Maher, Rahm Emanuel, Real Time with Bill Maher, words Leave a commentRahm Emanuel appeared on this week’s Overtime with Bill Maher, a companion to Real Time with Bill Maher. He was talking about how the United States was cutting grants and funds to science and medical research, and China was doubling down, increasing funds for science and medical research. Emanuel said “we’re sitting on fumes”.
This is a mashup of “running on fumes” (operating with very little resources left) and “sitting on (one’s) ass/hands” (taking no action when it is expected). A big thank you once again to Mike Kovacs for spotting this one.
Sweating at the seams
Posted: April 17, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Adam Mockler, expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, Trump, words 1 CommentIn this YouTube video, commentator Adam Mockler is describing a Republican congressman who went on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopolous. Mockler describes the guy as nervous, and “sweating at the seams”. The malaphor appears around 38 seconds into the video:
This is a conflation of “sweating like a pig” (sweat profusely) and “bursting at the seams” (very full to overflowing). If perspiration appeared on his jacket or shirt, perhaps this isn’t a malaphor after all. A big thank you once again to Mike Kovacs for spotting this one and sending it in.
Illegal orders leave thousands of soldiers hanging in the lurch
Posted: April 15, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, malaphors, mixed idioms, Trump, words 1 CommentThis one was heard on the podcast, The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell. Lt. General Mark Hertling was talking about Trump’s statement of ending a civilization (genocide) and bombing civilian targets. The malaphor is heard around 40:50:
This is a congruent conflation of “left in the lurch” and “hanging/twisting in the wind”, both meaning to be left without assistance in a difficult situation. A big thanks to Frank King for spotting this one.
How it all shaped out
Posted: April 13, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words Leave a commentSeen on X, this is a mashup of “all shook out” (or sorted out) and “all shaped up” (developed in a particular way). Here is the post:
Kudos to Bruce Ryan for spotting this one and sending it in.
All the cards are in the air
Posted: April 10, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, Heather Cox Richardson, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, Trump, words 1 CommentIn a Heather Cox Richardson YouTube video entitled “America’s Reputation and Recent Administration Firings”, Ms. Richardson discusses the many issues the Trump administation has created and is facing and says “all the cards are in the air”. You can hear this at approx 11:28 of the video:
This is a conflation of “keep balls in the air” (deal with many different things at the same time) and “put one’s cards on the table” (be completely honest about one’s intentions). “Up in the air” (unresolved) is probably also in the mix given the context. A big shout out to Mike Kovacs for spotting this one and sending it in!
You should plant a breadcrumb
Posted: April 8, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: expressions, humor, language, malaphors, mixed idioms, words 1 CommentThis was overheard at work. One employee was suggesting that another give the supervisor an idea. This is a mashup of “plant a seed” (to lay the groundwork for something that can develop in the future) and “a trail of breadcrumbs” (a series of connected pieces of information or evidence). A big thank you to Jack for sending this one into the website.
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