ENGLISH- 30 BEING IDIOMATIC Vs BEING IDIOTIC

 ENGLISH- 30

BEING IDIOMATIC Vs BEING IDIOTIC

Idioms serve precision in communication. In our zeal to steal the show, we tend to steal the wrong way or wrong word cluster that destroys the ‘meaning’ and also our image as communicator[s]. Why invite the wrath of the discerning when right options are at our doorsteps. I mean –instead of relying on ‘hear say’, let us make it a habit to use reliable references like printed text or dictionary. The instant advantage of such references is that, we get to know the right word in a phrase or idiom. ‘Hear say’ can make our communication skill suffer by inappropriate usage especially in our written messages. The malady emerges from two possibilities –poor pronunciation of someone from whom the phrase or idiom was picked up or from our poor grasp of the item when it was presented through a conversation. The present episode is a compilation of idioms wrongly used as against their correct versions. Idioms from wrong hearing are ‘Egg corns’.

IDIOMS PRESENTED APPEAR AS UNDER

WRONG VERSION                                      CORRECT VERSION

 A Blessing in the skies                                  A BLESING IN DISGUISE.

Apparently both sound correct but, the one in ‘disguise’ implies it comes in a way not expected and proves helpful .

Nip in the butt .                           NIP IN THE BUD   

Obviously in the butt is an uncharitable pinch or bite at the rear; in the bud means removing a bad before it grows is a sensible suggestion.

Deep seeded                                                 DEEP SEATED      

Being deep seeded or otherwise may not hinder us; but being Deep seated refers to our getting buried or bogged down in a place ,requiring enormous effort to come out  or  restore normalcy.  

Could care less                                               COULDN’T CARE LESS

Could care less implies more attention bestowed on someone than  essential; there is a hidden indication  of low inclination. On the other hand Couldn’t care less  is a submission that the essential minimum is being  given and it cannot be ‘downsized’ any further.      

One in the same                                             ONE AND THE SAME

One in the same is less sensible as against ‘One and the same’ which emphatically suggests the two are alike.

Statue of Limitations                                STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

There cannot be a statue depicting limitation ;while a Statute can define the limitation [especially of time for a specific activity.

For all intensive purposes          FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES.

A CERTAIN LEVEL OF AMBIGUITY EXISTS IN ‘INTENSIVE PURPOSES’ While, intents and purposes pertain  to the defined functions for specific situations /activity.                         

Getting off Scotch free                   GETTING OFF SCOT FREE

Scot REFERS TO TAX OR PENALTY , so getting of scot free  ably serves the need ;Scotch is a kind of ‘drink’.

Complete 360 degree change       COMPLETE 180 DEGREE CHANGE

Well 360 degree change is again back to the same point. But 180 degree is a diametrically opposite position or view point

First come first serve                           FIRST COME FIRST SERVED

It is simply, the early bird gets the worm. To make the first come first serve  is ill-treating ;first come first served means the early guest get served early.

Doggy Dog world                  DOG EAT DOG WORLD

The correct idiom reveals fierce competition  so dog eat dog is precise in suggestion.

Slight of hand                                                    SLEIGHT OF HAND                

Sleight means ‘cunning’ behaviour , while slight is a reference to mild or weak  state.

Peaked my interest                                           PIQUED MY INTEREST

-Piqued refers to the step or act of stimulating /kindling the interest;

while,  peaked is just a  suggestion of reaching  higher level or plane. ‘Peaked’ is a straight forward  change and it may not fit in the status of an idiom.

Case and point                                   CASE IN POINT

Case and point  are two different items; but case in point is a reference to a best fit example to suggest a right example for a case .

Mute point                                                                    MOOT POINT

Mute signifies toning down or silencing a voice or argument. But, moot means not too clear ;so, a moot point calls for a detailed study or discussion.

Be at someone’s beckon call . BE AT SOMEONE’S BECK AND CALL

Beckon means to call by attraction/signal/ gesture. How can one be waiting for a ‘beckon’ call? Beck –on the other hand Beck and call rfers to the necessity of having to respond to a call.. Anyone who has been a beneficiary of someone’s courtesy , ought to be at the beck and call of the courteous.

Fall by the waste side                                    FALL BY THE WAYSIDE

The right reference should be to the process of ‘getting sidelined’ for low ebb activity . So some thing less active cannot be treated as a waste; may be such low ebb activity casts them to the wayside

Several such pit falls abounour  day to day  use of language. But, we can ill afford to disrespect any language.. Culture demands our critical understanding  as evidence of our ‘learned’ status. 

 

SOURCE MEDIUM, presented by Ernest Wolfe ,

published in count down education.             

 All resources are gratefully acknowledged.

Prof. K. Raman