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Jun 21, 2022 · A well-crafted metaphor uses consistent imagery ("hitting the nail on the head”); when you start mixing imagery ("hitting the nail on the nose"), you can create a type of malapropism known as a mixed metaphor.
Jun 6, 2019 · "I am tempted to believe that the indiscriminate condemnation of mixed metaphors arises more often from pedantry than from common sense." (Edward Everett Hale, Jr. Constructive Rhetoric, 1896) "[T]o the fertile mind that thinks up a series of comparisons one gives admiration--and defense against those who misunderstand the ban on mixed metaphors."
- Richard Nordquist
- Mixed Metaphor Definition and Meaning
- Best Mixed Metaphor Examples
- Examples of Mixed Metaphors in Literature
- Mixed Metaphor and Catachresis
- What Is A Dead Metaphor?
- Related Literary Terms
- Other Resources
A mixed metaphor, shortened as “mixaphor,” is a figurative device that occurs when two metaphors are mixed up creating an incongruous comparison. A mixed metaphor, sometimes also called a “malaphor,” is an implicit comparison, that is often overarching, contradictory, or incompatible, between two or more dissimilar metaphors, similes, or idioms. It...
Here is a list of some notable usage of mixed metaphors in our day-to-day conversations, parliamentary speeches, magazines, newspapers, and television shows. 1. “It’s like stabbing a hole in the dark” 2. “Too many chefs in too many pies” 3. “Mr. Speaker, I smell a rat. I see him floating in the air. But mark me, sir, I will nip him in the bud.” (Ir...
To be, or not to be by William Shakespeare
When we discuss literary devices, we often quote William Shakespeare’s works. It is because he was the master of literally, every literary device, and used them in order to amuse the audience with the freshness of figurative comparisons and associations. In these lines quoted above, Hamlet, the heroof the play, considers taking arms or waging war against a “sea of troubles.” It is a use of mixed metaphor. Two incongruous ideas, “sea” and “army” are mixed together to create the mixed metaphor,...
The Sun Rising by John Donne
It is another beautiful example of a mixed metaphor. Generally, the disparate yet intellectual comparisons made by Donne are considered metaphysicalconceits. However, we can cite a few conceits from Donne’s works to discuss mixed metaphors. In this stanza taken from one of the best-known poems of John Donne, ‘The Sun Rising,’ the speaker first compares his lover to “states” and himself to “princes” of those states. In the last lines, he incongruously uses the same metaphoricalthread to compar...
[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] by E. E. Cummings
Here are a few lines from one of the best-loved poems of E. E. Cummings. In these lines, the speaker first compares his father to his “fate” and then to “sweet.” It is an example of a mixed metaphor. Similarly, he presents another comparison between the “world” and “true” or the truth. Check out more E. E. Cummings poems.
Catachresisis a type of mixed metaphor. When writers use mixed metaphors unintentionally or for a specific artistic effect, it is called catachresis. It is also regarded as an erroneous use of figurative devices that occurs when two or more words are compared in a way that significantly departs from conventional meaning. Mixed metaphors are somewha...
A dead metaphor or malaphor is a type of metaphor in which the sense of an original comparison is lost due to overuse, repetition, and popular usage. Dead metaphors can be understood even if the original meaning is not known. Some common examples of dead metaphors are: “Time is running out,” “Until the cows freeze over,” “Face and hands, on a cloak...
Catachresis: is a figure of speechthat occurs when writers use mixed metaphors incongruously.Watch: What is a Mixed Metaphor?Learn: The Different Types of Themes in PoetryExplore: Some of the Best Poems That Use MetaphorsA mixed metaphor is a mixture of two or more dissimilar, figurative elements, like metaphors, similes, and idioms, which in turn, lead to the silly or even confusing effect. This is likely to occur when you are creative and borrow ideas from various quarters or contexts potentially rendering your statement nonsensical or with disjointed ideas.
Sep 26, 2021 · A mixed metaphor is a combination of two or more incompatible figurative elements, producing a ridiculous effect. These elements can be metaphors, malaphors, or idioms. These elements can be metaphors, malaphors, or idioms.
Jun 25, 2024 · The definition of a mixed metaphor is the fusion of two different metaphors to create an illogical comparison. While a metaphor uses consistent language and imagery (e.g., “He’s got a chip on his shoulder;” “He’s got something up his sleeve”), a mixed metaphor blurs the imagery by combining two dissimilar or impossible things (e.g., “He’s got a chip up his sleeve”).
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May 30, 2019 · Examples of Mixed Metaphors "So now what we are dealing with is the rubber meeting the road, and instead of biting the bullet on these issues, we just want to punt." "[T]he bill is mostly a stew of spending on existing programs, whatever their warts may be."
