Advertisement

Advertisement

mixed metaphor

noun

  1. the use in the same expression of two or more metaphors that are incongruous or illogical when combined, as in “The president will put the ship of state on its feet.”


mixed metaphor

noun

  1. a combination of incongruous metaphors, as when the Nazi jackboots sing their swan song
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of mixed metaphor1

First recorded in 1790–1800
Discover More

Example Sentences

"Mixed metaphor," murmured Clarissa, and went to sleep comfortably, feeling that Carlo was a wall.

"One does not hear with one's heart," said I, smiling, and stirred to plague her for her mixed metaphor.

And with pleasure at the helm, goodness is a drug in the market,—if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor.

She's a mighty hand at books, as it is—quite a budding blue-stocking, if that isn't a mixed metaphor.

I'll leave you to digest the mixed metaphor undisturbed while I go below and help with the patients who have begun pouring aboard.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


mixed mediamixed nerve