Some commonly misused idioms in English

Idioms are fixed expressions; the component words do not change to suit our preferences...asides the possessive adjectives in them

Eniola, Sophia, and Mr Francis

Back in those days, we always believed that idioms could change their component words after some years. We were wrong. We had been using the idiomatic expressions wrongly. When we found the correct usage, we comforted ourselves that the idiom had changed.

Idioms do not undergo any change after some years, even after many centuries. They are fixed expressions. It is only permitted that we change the possessive adjectives. For example, in the idiom cross one’s fingers, one can substitute ‘my’, ‘his/her’, ‘their’ or any possessive adjective to personalize it.

However, personalization of idioms—with the use of possessive adjectives—must be done sparingly. At this junction juncture, it is important I write that not all idioms can be personalized. The ones that come with personalization are largely specified in a good English dictionary with “one’s”. In this case, we know that we can substitute one’s with any possessive adjective we have.

In the same vein, the definite or indefinite articles that are found in idioms must be respected and left as such. When we substitute “a” for “the” or vice versa, we have inadvertently changed the fully embedded meaning.

It must also be noted that we must not add our own words to English idioms or delete the component words in order to suit our preferences or satisfy our broader expression.

Wrong usage of idiomatic expressions arises as a result of one or two conditions cited in the previous paragraphs. We have to treat and use idioms with every consciousness. Furthermore, we must also expose ourselves to different contexts and pay attention to some nuances in idiomatic usage.

Having written all this, I have provided some idioms that are commonly misused in English below.

1. It take two to tangle tango.

2. Better the devil you know than the angel devil you don’t.

3. What’s good sauce for the goose is good sauce for the gander.

4. He who laughs last laughs best longest.

5. Two good heads are better than one.

6. A problem shared is a problem half-solved halved.

7. Bite off more than you can swallow chew.

8. A bird at in the hand is worth two in the bush.

9. Birds of the same a feather (flock together).

10. Half a loaf is better than none no bread.

11. On a platter of gold silver platter.

12. Get to that bridge and cross it Cross that bridge when we come to it.

13. If the worse worst comes to the worst.

There are many more idioms such as these that are commonly misused. One must consult a good English dictionary when one is unsure.

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With love and everything English,

Francis