Go off the deep edge

This one was said on CNN’s “Out Front with Erin Burnett” by Darrin Porcher, former NYPD lieutenant, about the 5 officers whose excessive behavior caused Tyre Nichols’s death.  It is a congruent conflation of “over the edge” and “off the deep end”, both meaning to act irrationally or out of control.  Both phrases describe a precipice, hence the confusion.  Also the words “off” and “over” are similar in sound and shape.  I think “edge” and “end” also contribute to the mental hiccup. A big thanks to Beatrice Zablocki for hearing this one and sending it in.