Malapropisms

A malapropism is the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, usually to ludicrous effect — saying someone is 'the very pineapple of politeness' when you mean 'pinnacle'. The term comes from Mrs Malaprop, a character in Sheridan's 1775 play 'The Rivals' who constantly muddled her words.

This guide collects famous and everyday malapropisms, each paired with the word the speaker really meant and a short note on the mix-up. They are a reminder of how easily sound-alike words can trip us up — and a useful checklist of pairs to keep straight in your own writing.

33 entries in this category

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Classic Malapropisms

9

He is the very pineapple of politeness.

Correct: pinnacle

"'Pineapple' should be 'pinnacle' - the highest point."

She is as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile.

Correct: alligator

"'Allegory' should be 'alligator'."

Dance a flamingo.

Correct: flamenco

"'Flamingo' (the bird) should be 'flamenco' (the dance)."

Our watchword was total conflagration of the enemy.

Correct: confrontation

"'Conflagration' (a fire) should be 'confrontation'."

He had to use a fire distinguisher.

Correct: extinguisher

"'Distinguisher' should be 'extinguisher'."

She’s under the affluence of alcohol.

Correct: influence

"‘Affluence’ (wealth) is confused with ‘influence’."

Lead the way and we’ll precede.

Correct: proceed

"‘Precede’ (go before) swaps with ‘proceed’ (go ahead)."

He’s a man of great statue.

Correct: stature

"‘Statue’ replaces ‘stature’ (standing or height)."

Having one wife is called monotony.

Correct: monogamy

"‘Monotony’ (dullness) stands in for ‘monogamy’."

Everyday Mix-Ups

12

For all intensive purposes, we're done.

Correct: intents and purposes

"'Intensive purposes' should be 'intents and purposes'."

I'm not going to cast asparagus at my opponent.

Correct: aspersions

"'Asparagus' should be 'aspersions'."

It's a doggy-dog world out there.

Correct: dog-eat-dog

"'Doggy-dog' should be 'dog-eat-dog'."

She's a wolf in cheap clothing.

Correct: sheep's clothing

"'Cheap clothing' should be 'sheep's clothing'."

He's a shoe-in for the promotion.

Correct: shoo-in

"'Shoe-in' should be 'shoo-in'."

We need to nip it in the butt.

Correct: nip it in the bud

"'In the butt' should be 'in the bud'."

My sister expresses herself with great expertise.

Correct: fine (intended: eloquence)

"Commonly ‘eloquence’ is replaced by a vague near-word."

I resemble that remark!

Correct: resent

"‘Resemble’ (look like) replaces ‘resent’."

It’s not rocket surgery.

Correct: rocket science / brain surgery

"Two idioms are blended by mistake."

He’s the apple of my pie.

Correct: apple of my eye

"The fixed phrase is scrambled."

That really takes the taco.

Correct: takes the cake / biscuit

"The idiom’s key word is swapped."

Let’s touch basis next week.

Correct: touch base

"‘Basis’ replaces ‘base’."

Medical & Formal Blunders

12

He suffered a stroke and was in a comma for a week.

Correct: coma

"'Comma' (punctuation) should be 'coma'."

The doctor gave her anal-gesic for the pain.

Correct: analgesic

"Misdivision of 'analgesic', a painkiller."

I need to renew my prescription for my high pretension.

Correct: hypertension

"'High pretension' should be 'hypertension'."

They put him on a pedal stool.

Correct: pedestal

"'Pedal stool' should be 'pedestal'."

The suspect was taken into custardy.

Correct: custody

"'Custardy' should be 'custody'."

That's a mute point.

Correct: moot point

"'Mute point' should be 'moot point'."

The patient has very close veins.

Correct: varicose veins

"‘Close’ replaces ‘varicose’."

She had a lapse in her memory — a real post-dramatic stress.

Correct: post-traumatic

"‘Dramatic’ replaces ‘traumatic’."

He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and premonition.

Correct: hypertension (intended: pre-hypertension)

"A real term is swapped for a similar-sounding word."

The X-ray showed a benign tumour, thank goodness — not milignant.

Correct: malignant

"‘Milignant’ garbles ‘malignant’."

I have a photogenic memory.

Correct: photographic

"‘Photogenic’ (looks good in photos) replaces ‘photographic’."

The allegations are completely unsubstantialised.

Correct: unsubstantiated

"A non-word blends two real ones."

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