I’m doing this on a whim and a prayer

A person posted that she was quitting her job somewhat impulsively. She doesn’t have a new job lined up, so it’s a little bit scary. She wrote, “I’m doing this on a whim and a prayer.”  This is a nice mashup of “on a whim” (sudden, impulsive urge) and “on a wing and a prayer” (hoping you will succeed even though you have not prepared for it).  The mix up undoubtedly was caused by the words “on a” that are in both idioms.   The expressions combined describe what the speaker was trying to convey – an impulsive move with a hope that it works out well.  A big thanks to Monica Bafetti for spotting this one and Sally Adler for sending it here!  As Sally points out, this malaphor is really more meaningful than the original in this age.  And check out the blog onawhimandaprayer.com about two Irishmen who logged in 35,000 kilometers on motorbikes to raise money for Make-A-Wish!