MISUSED/MISQUOTED/MISINTERPRETED IDIOMS

An idiom is a style of expression in written and a spoken English, with a special meaning that is different from the ordinary meaning of each separate word. For example, 'STONE'S THROW' is an idiom meaning 'A VERY SHORT DISTANCE'. 

 

The idiom (stone's throw) has nothing to do with a stone being thrown. Many idioms are often misused, misquoted and misinterpreted. 

Some of the idioms shall be shed light on below;

 1. FOR BETTER OR WORSE. 

This idiom is mostly used in a wedding; whenever a man and wife are to be joined together to become a husand and a wife. Everyone knows that MARRIAGE IS FOR BETTER OR WORSE. If it is FOR better OR for worse, the couple are expected to endure or enjoy whatever that happens in it. 

 Don't say/write: Marriage is for better for worse. 

Say or Write: Marriage is for better or worse. Note: One could use the optional word 'FOR' in the expression. 'Marriage is for better or FOR worse. 

 2. A SNAKE IN THE GRASS. 

Many users of this idiom are fond of saying GREEN SNAKE UNDER THE GREEN GRASS. A snake is known as a dangerous animal. So, whosoever that pretends to be a friend but cannot be trusted is pictured as 'a snake in the grass' (NOT a snake under the green grass). 

 Don't say/write: S/he is a green snake under the green grass. 

Say or Write: S/he is a snake in the grass. 

 3. ADD INSULT TO INJURY. The idiom is wrongly written or spoken as 'add salt to injury' by many speakers of English; especially people that speak English as their second language. Many a time, we worsen an unfavourable situation with what we say or do in the process of solving a problem. If one says or does something that does not solve problems but worsen it, you are adding INSULT to injury (NOT add SALT to injury)

Don't say/write: They mimicked him, to add salt to injury. 

Say or Write: They mimicked him, to add insult to injury. 

 4. TURN OVER A NEW LEAF. 

There must not be a change whatsoever to idioms as they are fixed expressions. The idiom (Turn over a new leaf) is to change way of life, to become a better person or a responsible person. People often drop 'OVER' in the idiom; to say 'turn a new leaf'. 

Don't say/write: My mentor advised me to turn a new leaf. 

Say or Write: My mentor advised me to turn over a new leaf. 

5. BEHIND THE SCENES. 

Films always have different scenes, and they are simply referred to as SCENES. Any part of a film that the public should/must not see/watch is referred to as 'Behind the sceneS'. The S in the scenes must not be dropped. The SCENE being released out of the SCENES in a film is a SCENE out of the SCENES. 

Don't say/write: Political decisions should not be made behind the scene. 

Say or Write: Political decisions should not be made behind the scenes. 

In conclusion, idiomatic expressions in English lexicons must not be reconstructed nor changed. They are fixed expressions that should be used the way they are.