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No one was born perfect when it comes to language. We say one thing when we mean entirely another. We mix up words, add endings, and pretend it’s all fine. Well, not quite.

You see, even though some phrases roll off the tip of the tongue as if they were almost identical, it doesn’t mean they are. From hunger pains to hunger pangs and sleight of hand to slight of hand, there are too many common phrases that are way more confusing than they really should be.

So this time, we’re gonna look at the most common mistakes we make when using these phrases, and hopefully, learn something that would have made our English teachers proud.

#1

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Yeah, you heard
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5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an Americanism. I've literally never heard anyone say it here in the UK.

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    #2

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    Aragorn II Elessar
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “I did a 360, I’m back on my bullshit”

    Grumble O'Pug
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, this is no surprise. The evidence of math and science failures is abundant these days.

    Something
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    180 is usually what people mean, but 360 is usually true.

    W Bruce Jaworski
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a dog returns to its vomit so does a fool to his folly

    Carrie de Luka
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always return to my Folly - she's a darling little pup!

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    Alyssa Fry
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooh!Ooh! Dua Lipa is using the correct one! She said it in her song ‘Don’t Start Now!” “Did a full 180-crazy thinkin’ bout the way I was’

    Just another bot
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's missing here is logic. And basic geometry.

    Zophra
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe saying a 360 is a sad foreshadowing that there really isn't a change.

    SlowFromTheFace
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was explained in "last action hero" back in 1993. I thought everyone knew this by now.

    Jenna Howe
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've done some of each. And then there are the spirals.

    Colbi Schrover
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ha! I do a 360 all the time in life, when I want to to 180's!

    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    YES! This has bugged me for decades, literally decades!

    My Name Is Jeff
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have to correct anyone who says this!

    Lynn Plouff
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    Haven’t thot on this one. And I a “word “ police. Love good grammar.

    Al Christensen
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They end up in a different place if they spiraled 360°. :D

    JiminKimLip7
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    This comment has been deleted.

    Ren Karlej
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'This should be first' should be banned. If it merits it, it will get there.

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    WildBerry
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    If one says, "I did a 360.", it's correct because it's saying, "I turned around." Meaning "I did something different."

    Hassan Mehmood
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    here 360 means in all aspects of life ... 180 means i just want to do the opposite ...

    Sarcasm101
    Community Member
    5 years ago

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    DiD a FuLl 190 CrAzy

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    #3

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    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've never seen the incorrect version. That's just dumb!

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    We all have that one phrase or two (or too many) that pop into the conversations we have with people. These go-to expressions surely add some style to whatever we’re saying unless they’re used the wrong way.

    But the more we use them, the more unaware we become of these repetitive language slip-ups. And honestly, our interlocutors are often unaware of the fact as well. Think of how many times you've heard someone say “I could care less.” In fact, this means the exact opposite as meant by the right usage “I couldn’t care less.”

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    Other common phrases people confuse very often are “tongue and cheek” (should be tongue in cheek), “for all intensive purposes” (should be “for all intents and purposes”), “another thing coming” (the right way is “another think coming.”)

    #4

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    H Edwards
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one annoys me, seems like a typically American issue. I think it probably comes from mishearing 'it was AN accident'

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    #5

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    Dennis Michael
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The word "buck" refers to a male native american indian. The phrase "buck naked" comes from the fact that back in the early days (pre 1900) male indians would be seen riding their horses to a river or stream to bathe or do what ever, and would be totally naked on the horse. White people would see them and thus the phrase "Buck naked" was born.

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    #6

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    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally. Thank you. AMEN. English isn't my family's first language on one side, and I've spent a lifetime explaining these things. I feel so happy I'm not alone....

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    Even though the misused phrases may be annoying to some sharp-eared listeners, they are never harmful or intentional.

    But there are some common phrases that can never work in any conversation and they can definitely turn your encounter sour. For example, saying “you look good for your age,” “this might sound stupid, but…” or “you’re so…” this and that, can be interpreted in a bad way.

    So in the end, it’s never really about language and grammar, but rather the content and the way you say it that really matters in a fruitful and pleasant conversation.

    #7

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    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ever see my mom after an espresso? EXpresso ain't a bad description...

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    #8

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    #9

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    Lance d'Boyle
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    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The term has nothing to do with the Scotts. It comes from old Scandinavian 'skatt fri', which means 'tax free'.

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    #10

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    #11

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    Maria
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sleight of hand and twist of fate, on a bed of nails she makes me wait 🎶🎶🎶

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    #12

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    onitsuka
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen people write and assume it was "pick" my interest

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    #13

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    Robert Thornburrow
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We tend to refer to people as Expats, as expatriate sounds more like the action of doing it, as in repatriate, meaning to take someone back to their homeland.

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    #14

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    Katrina B.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is misleading though because they are pronounced the same way. If you're saying them at least.

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    #15

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    Luke N
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always thought it described an easy penning. Say of sheep. No need to herd them into the pen, just give them a shoo and they go in by themselves.

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    #16

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    CLG
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Although you CAN say "give someone a piece of your mind," meaning chew them out.

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    #17

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    Robert Thornburrow
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gets confusing when you get possessive. My brother-in-law's car is the car belonging to my brother-in-law, but what would you say for all the cars belonging to multiple brothers-in-law? My brothers-in-law's cars?

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    #18

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    #20

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    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of people online seem to be unable to correctly use superlatives.

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    #21

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    #22

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    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pangs is archaic, but yes, that's the conventional usage. Frankly, I've been hungry enough to hurt. It is not a pang. It was pain.

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    #23

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    #24

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    Jasmine Donald
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lol, baited breath... that would be very strange...

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    #25

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    Luke N
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually the Lee side of a sailboat is the downwind side. Opposite of windward. Depending on the boat and its keel and the exact angle of the wind, it will crab or be pushed sideways a bit, especially when close-hauled. So you need to aim a bit to windward to allow for leeway in order to go straight. Especially important when going toward another boat or around a headland that is on a lee shore. Even more important if your boat doesn't tack well or sail to windward, eg. A square rigger caught between 2 headlands. Extra leeway is required to prevent being wrecked.

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    #27

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    me
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, I've never seen the wrong one before, is that just me?

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    #28

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    #29

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    troufaki13
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Greece we say "one is worse than the other" when everything is bad and you can't tell which is worse

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    #30

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    Julie C Rose
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once got a book out the library where the editor hadn’t caught this mistake and one of the people who had the book before me crossed out “phase” and wrote “faze”.

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    #31

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    Jane Shead
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No it doesn't. The OED says: 1. Originally in Law, of a case, issue, etc.: proposed for discussion at a moot (moot n.1 4). Later also gen.: open to argument, debatable; uncertain, doubtful; unable to be firmly resolved. Frequently in moot case, moot point.

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    #32

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    Robert Thornburrow
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is part of the phrase "make do and mend", meaning things are used in their current state or you mend them only sufficiently to make them work, nothing is replaced by new - usually used in reference to being poor.

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    #33

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    J Rob
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    " transitive verb To sharpen (a knife, for example); hone. transitive verb To make more keen; stimulate. noun Something that whets the appetite or desire."

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    #34

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    Robert Thornburrow
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the hooks on a tenter are literally tenterhooks. There don't seem to be any phrases for teasels, but they are the seedheads of plant that were used to tease the wool. Together they form the coat of arms for Kendal, which is a town in Northern England which once had a thriving wool trade.

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    #35

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    ƒιѕн
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can p**n off my tools. I can't palm off my tools.

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    #38

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    #39

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    స్టీఫెన్ ఆండ్రూ
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'Spitting image' is in the Oxford Dictionary. It's correct even if 'spit and image' is the original usage.

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    #40

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    #41

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    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who in the name of all that's holy ever said "Pass mustard" except at a cookout?

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    #42

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    #43

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    #44

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    H Edwards
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is just a regional thing, I don't object to it so much.

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    #45

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    Emily Ducat
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People I would like to introduce you to the google ngram search for "escape goat" https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=escape+goat&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=26&smoothing=3&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cescape%20goat%3B%2Cc0#t1%3B%2Cescape%20goat%3B%2Cc1 proving that "escape goat" appears in a disturbingly high number of published works particularly around the 2013-2014 mark the implication being that it is used a lot more widely than you might think

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    #46

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    Tami
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I believe it's "jibe", which is also a type of turn used when sailing.

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