mixed metaphor
Tangled figurative language
A mixed metaphor combines two or more incompatible figures of speech, creating an image that clashes or becomes absurd when visualized: We'll burn that bridge when we come to it, The ball is in the court of public opinion.
Sometimes the effect is comic, sometimes just muddled.
Mixed metaphors often go unnoticed in speech but stand out in writing, where readers have time to picture the collision.
Overused, unoriginal expression
- idiomFixed phrase, opaque meaning
- figurative languageNon-literal modes of expression
- imageryVivid descriptive language
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
comparison · expression · turn of phrase · figure of speech · purple prose · overwrought · hackneyed · stock phrase
Disturbingly incongruous
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- mismatchedNot fitting together properly
- discordantLacking musical agreement
collision · disjointed · incoherent · incompatible · misaligned · contradictory · illogical · non sequitur
Self-contradicting phrase device
- malapropismSound-alike word confusion
- zeugmaOne word, multiple applications
- synecdochePart standing for whole
- metonymySubstituting associated name
hyperbole · irony · juxtaposition · incongruity · paradox · allegory · personification · simile
cliché
Overused, unoriginal expression
- idiomFixed phrase, opaque meaning
- figurative languageNon-literal modes of expression
- imageryVivid descriptive language
analogy · comparison · expression · turn of phrase · figure of speech · purple prose · overwrought · hackneyed · stock phrase · strained
jarring
Disturbingly incongruous
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- mismatchedNot fitting together properly
discordant · collision · disjointed · incoherent · incompatible · misaligned · contradictory · illogical · non sequitur · absurdity
oxymoron
Self-contradicting phrase device
- malapropismSound-alike word confusion
- zeugmaOne word, multiple applications
- synecdochePart standing for whole
metonymy · hyperbole · irony · juxtaposition · incongruity · paradox · allegory · personification · simile · wordplay
malapropism
Sound-alike word confusion
absurdity · wordplay · bathos · howler · blooper · slip · funniness · amusement · parody · mockery
- clichescliche, platitude, bromide, tired phrase, worn phrase
- literary devicessimile, hyperbole, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia
- figurative languagesimile, figure of speech, analogy, personification, figures of speech
- metaphorsbroken heart, time is money, life journey, simile, analogy
- writing flawstypos, spelling errors, plot hole, plot holes, cliche
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
mixed, metaphor, mixes, mixing, mixer, mixers, unmixed, metaphors, metaphoric