Phrases

Question 1

What does “the exception that proves the rule” mean?

Answer 1

“The exception that proves the rule” is used when an exception to a generally accepted truth is discovered. This is an old fashioned use of the word ‘prove’, which means ‘to test’. It does not mean it proves a rule is true, but that it tests the rule. It is usually used these days when an exception to a rule has been identified: for example, Mutillidae are wasps without wings, and therefore are an exception that proves the rule that wasps fly.

Question 2

Nip it in the butt vs. Nip it in the bud?

Answer 2

Nipping something in the bud means that you’re putting an end to it before it has a chance to grow or start. Nipping something in the butt means you’re biting its behind.

Question 3

I could care less vs. I couldn’t care less

Answer 3

Saying that you could care less about a topic implies that you do care about it at least a little. What you usually mean is that you don’t care about the topic at all, hence “I couldn’t care less”.

Question 4

One in the same vs. One and the same

Answer 4

When you really sit and think about it, “one in the same” doesn’t mean anything at all. The correct phrase “one and the same” means that two things are the same.

Question 5

Each one worse than the next vs. Each one worse than the last

Answer 5

Unless you can foresee the future, “each one worse than the next” doesn’t make sense. The problem with this phrase is that it isn’t logical. For example, you can’t compare two bicycles until you’ve tested them both. So logically, you would compare the current bicycle to the last bike you tested.

Question 6

On accident vs. By accident

Answer 6

Sometimes I feel very sorry for people attempting to learn English. With phrases like this, it must be awful. You can do something on purpose, but not on accident. Prepositions are a killer.

Question 7

For all intensive purposes vs. For all intents and purposes

Answer 7

You may feel very strongly and intense about your purpose, but that doesn’t make the phrase correct. Another common incorrect use of the phrase is switching the words “for” and “with”. The correct phrase means that you are covering all possibilities and circumstances.

Question 8

He did good vs. He did well

Answer 8

The phrases good and well get interchanged so much that some people think they are actually interchangeable words. They’re not. If you’re ever confused about which to use, here’s a tip: Use “well” as an adverb (words used to describe verbs) and “good” as an adjective (words used to describe nouns).

Question 9

I’m giving you leadway vs. I’m giving you leeway

Answer 9

Leadway actually isn’t even a word. Leeway means extra space and freedom.

Question 10

Expresso vs. Espresso

Answer 10

I’m sure those of you who work at coffee shops have had people order an expresso before. There’s no such drink. The drink you’re trying to order is an espresso.

Question 11

Irregardless vs. Regardless

Answer 11

Regardless means without regard. Throwing on “IR”to the beginning makes the word a double negative. I think we can all agree that “without without regard” doesn’t make sense.

Question 12

Sorta vs. Sort Of

Answer 12

The phrase “sort of” was too long so someone decided to shorten it up and turn it into sorta. I think it’s just sorta lazy.

Question 13

Scotch Free/Scott Free vs. Scot Free

Answer 13

I’ve seen so many explanations of the origins of the phrase “Scot free” that I really don’t know where it came from. But what I do know is that Scotch free and Scott free are incorrect.

Question 14

Phase vs. Faze

Answer 14

The word “phase” is usually used when talking about periods of time or stages. For instance, “Bob’s interest in the iPhone 5 was just a phase.” However, phase is often mistakenly used in place of the word faze, which means to disrupt.

Question 15

Waiting with baited breath vs. Waited with bated breath

Answer 15

If you’re “waiting with baited breath,” I really feel for those within sniffing distance of your respiration. Unless you really mean to say that you are waiting after just consuming large quantities of fish bait, then I think the word you’re looking for is “bated.” The word “bated” comes from the word “abate,” which means “to lessen or reduce.” So, if you are so excited that you are barely breathing, then bated breath is your best choice. Please, for the sake of the unsuspecting populace, leave the squid sandwich at home!

Question 16

Pawn off vs. Palm off

Answer 16

What you mean to convey is “palm off,” which means to “pass something by concealment or deception.” Think of a card game where the card dealer surreptitiously deals a novice player a low card. While pawn shops certainly may have some shady exchanges, the original phrase had nothing to do with buying a gold chain in a seedy store.

Question 17

Slight of hand vs. Sleight of hand

Answer 17

“Slight” refers to something “small in degree or inconsiderable.” The word “sleight” is related to the word “sly,” and means “deceitful craftiness or dexterity.” Unless you meant to say that the magician had tiny hands of no consequence, the correct terminology is “sleight of hand.” If you want to be really fancy, the technical term is called prestidigitation. It means the person has quick fingers that can deceive you. Now, a magician, theoretically, may need more practice and only have a slight sleight of hand. However, unless you are trying to be insulting, use the second phrase.

Question 18

How is the expression “Comparing apples to oranges…” useless?

Answer 18

Most people who use this metaphor mean that there are vast differences in the topics at hand. It means that the contrasting items have very little in common. For example, as it is used in this sentence, “You can’t compare a fish to a bird, that’s like comparing apples to oranges.” However, apples and oranges have many more commonalities than differences. They are both fruit. They both are grown from seeds and picked from trees in orchards. Both apples and oranges are sweet, similar in size, weight, and shape. Both fruits may be eaten and juiced. This metaphor lacks logical significance. It would make more sense to say, “comparing apples to aardvarks.”

Question 19

How is the expression “ante up” useless?

Answer 19

The term “ante up” is used often in the business world. The user is trying to convey the need to supply a commitment of resources. However, the word “ante” is taken from the world of gambling. I don’t think most organizations really mean to convey that their business ventures are comparable in risk to a poker game.

Question 20

Mute point vs. Moot point

Answer 20

“Mute” means “incapable of speech.” “Moot” means “debatable or doubtful.” While a moot point may cause someone to stop talking, it doesn’t render them mute. The point, not being a person, never had any ability to talk in the first place. So the word “moot” is a much better descriptive choice.

Question 21

Hunger pains vs. Hunger pangs

Answer 21

“Pang” means a “sudden spasm of pain.” Saying “hunger pains” could work, but is much less descriptive. While both experiences are uncomfortable, a way to reduce the painful assault on the grammar guru’s senses is to implement the correct usage of “hunger pangs.”

Question 22

Wet your appetite vs. Whet your appetite

Answer 22

While I won’t stand in the way of someone easing their hunger pangs with a filling beverage, you can’t “wet your appetite” unless you find a way to dunk ravenous hunger in a liquid substance. Instead, the word “whet,” which means “to sharpen or hone,” works better. When you “whet your appetite,” you sharpen it or make it more intense, much as one would use a whetstone on a knife.

Question 23

Pour over vs. Pore over

Answer 23

Trust me! You do not want the librarian chasing you out of the sacred gathering of books because you poured liquid over the cherished Britannica edition. The word you are looking for is “pore,” which means “to study closely.” Just don’t waste too much time poring over your pores. Invest in a good dermatologist instead.

Question 24

Tow the line vs. Toe the line

Answer 24

The origins of this idiom come from the military. It is thought to mean the practice of arranging one’s feet on a line for inspection. So, literally, to put one’s toe on a line to be examined for a certain standard. It does not mean to drudge along dragging a line.

Question 25

Peak my curiosity vs. Pique my curiosity

Answer 25

It is rude to peek at my curiosity like an exhibition display, or to arrive at the peak of my curiosity by climbing it like a mountain. However, if you would like to pique, or stimulate, my curiosity, than you have my rapt attention.

Question 26

Tongue and cheek vs. Tongue in cheek

Answer 26

While I have never made this a habit as it sounds like a biting hazard, apparently people will stick their tongues in their cheeks when lying or joking. Others obviously aren’t aware of this gesture either, since they mispronounce it “tongue and cheek.”

Question 27

To give someone free reign vs. To give someone free rein

Answer 27

This is another example where the incorrect usage garners some acknowledgment, but a spelling error is to blame for the misunderstanding. Most people think that to “give someone free reign” means that they are allowed royal power to do whatever they want, like a king reigning over his subjects. However, originally, it came from the days when people rode horses: When a horse encounters tricky terrain, the rider often loosens the reins to allow the horse to navigate on its own and trusts the animal’s judgement. So, the correct usage is to give someone “free rein.”

Question 28

Then vs. Than

Answer 28

Thenindicates time or consequence e.g. Bagels were cheaper then. Than is used to indicate comparison e.g. He likes bagels more than I like bagels.

Question 29

It’s vs. Its

Answer 29

It’s is a contraction for it is or it has. Its is a possessive pronoun meaning, more or less, of it or belonging to it. If you can replace it’s in your sentence with it is or it has, then your word is it’s; otherwise, your word is its.

Question 30

To vs. Too

Answer 30

To is a versatile preposition. A few of its many definitions are (1) toward, (2) reaching as far as, and (3) until.Too is an adverb meaning (1) additionally, (2) excessively, (3) very, or (4) extremely.