Here are five common phrases we get wrong all the time . . .
- “For all intensive purposes.” It’s really “for all INTENTS and purposes.” The other way is like saying, “for all these very thorough purposes.” Which doesn’t make sense.
- “Nip it in the butt.” The correct phrase is “nip it in the BUD,” like a flower bud. The other way makes it sound like you want to BITE someone’s butt.
- “One in the same.” If you say it like that, it doesn’t make sense. The real phrase is, “one AND the same,” which means two things are alike.
- “Case and point.” The correct way to say it is, “case IN point.” It’s like saying, “Here’s an example of the point I’m trying to make.”
- “I could care less.” If you say it like that, you’re really saying you DO care about something. The correct phrase is, “I COULDN’T care less.”
Here’s one more weird one: “You’ve got another thing coming” is technically wrong. The original phrase was, “If that’s what you think, you’ve got another THINK coming.”
We dropped the first part a long time ago, and now everyone says “thing.” So in that case, you sound like an idiot if you say it RIGHT. (Business Insider)
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