I gotta collect myself together

Posted: March 28, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

This jumbled mess was heard on the TV series MasterChef. It is a congruent conflation of “collect (oneself)” and “pull (oneself) together”, both meaning to calm oneself down and begin to act or think appropriately. A tip of the toque to Anthony Kovacs for hearing this one and sending it in.

I’ve got some tricks under my sleeve

Posted: February 19, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

A contestant on the show MasterChef was talking about making a comeback after having failed in the previous round. This is a subtle mashup of “tricks up (one’s) sleeve” (a secret plan, idea, or advantage) and “under (one’s) belt” (in one’s scope of experience). “Under my hat” (secret) might also be in the mix, considering that a magician likes to produce the trick where a rabbit comes out of a hat. Kudos to Anthony Kovacs for hearing this one!