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Examples of mixed metaphor in a Sentence
“If we want to get ahead we'll have to iron out the remaining bottlenecks” is an example of a mixed metaphor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yeah, that's probably a mixed metaphor, or actually a simile.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2011
Fair warning: What follows is a mixed metaphor palooza.
—Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2013
The triple-mixed metaphor says it all: Licht & Co. are struggling with the intractable problem of how to square the CNN brand’s promise — straight news — with the entertainment imperatives of nighttime television.
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2022
Excuse the mixed metaphor, but the Viper feels like a great white shark on the road.
—WSJ, 3 Dec. 2022
Yes, a mixed metaphor, but that essentially is what has been in play to this stage.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2022
Those smoldering embers of shortcomings, now and particularly in the postseason, always hover — a mixed metaphor, admittedly — over some and consistently haunt others.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Jan. 2022
Eye strain, like neck, back, or wrist strain, is nothing to be sneezed at, to use a very mixed metaphor.
—Maria Shine Stewart, cleveland, 28 Sep. 2020
Chloe mixed metaphors while describing herself as not smart.
—Neha Prakash, Marie Claire, 18 Apr. 2020
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1748, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of mixed metaphor was
circa 1748
Articles Related to mixed metaphor
Dictionary Entries Near mixed metaphor
Cite this Entry
“Mixed metaphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mixed%20metaphor. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on mixed metaphor
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mixed metaphor
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mixed metaphor
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