/ˈmæl.ə.prɒˌpɪz.əm/

/ˈmæl/: Stressed first syllable, sounds like “mal."

/ə/: Schwa sound, an unstressed “uh."

/prɒ/: Pronounced like "prop" with a rounded vowel sound.

/ˌpɪz/: Secondary stressed syllable, sounds like “piz."

/əm/: Ends with an unstressed schwa and "m" sound.

A malapropism is the unintentionally funny misuse of a word or phrase. You’ve got to love a good malapropism—it’s always worth a giggle when you recognize someone else’s mistake. Native speakers commit these blunders all the time, both in writing and spoken English. In this post, we’ll explore some common phrases and the amusing ways in which native speakers often get them wrong. Let’s dive in, learn some new expressions, and share a laugh (at the native speakers’ expense, of course).

1. Death Throws vs. Death Throes

Picture this: someone dramatically describes a company’s downfall as its “death throws.” Are we talking about some kind of violent wrestling move here? Nope. The correct phrase is “death throes,” referring to the final spasms of something coming to an end. Throwing things in frustration is optional but not part of the idiom.

2. Deep-Seeded vs. Deep-Seated

Do you have a “deep-seeded” fear of public speaking? Unless you’re planting phobias in the garden, the correct term is “deep-seated.” This phrase implies something firmly established, not germinating in the soil of your soul.

3. For All Intensive Purposes vs. For All Intents and Purposes

“For all intensive purposes,” you might think you’re making a strong point, but the phrase you’re looking for is “for all intents and purposes.” It means “in every practical sense.” Adding intensity won’t make it any more correct.

4. Could Of vs. Could Have

This one’s a classic. “I could of gone to the party, but I was too tired.” Could you of? No, you couldn’t of. The correct phrase is “could have,” often contracted to “could’ve.” The mix-up happens because “could’ve” sounds like “could of,” but don’t let your ears fool you into writing this grammatically incorrect construction.

5. Shoe-In vs. Shoo-In

“She’s a shoe-in for the promotion!” Unless she’s literally stepping into a shoe, what you mean is “shoo-in.” This term comes from horse racing, where a favored horse was “shooed” into the winner’s circle.

6. Hone In On vs. Home In On

“Let’s hone in on the solution.” Honing is what you do to a knife to make it sharp. When you’re narrowing in on a target, the phrase is “home in on.” Think of a homing pigeon finding its way back to its coop.

Why Do These Happen?

The English language is full of oddities, and many malapropisms occur because words or phrases sound similar. When we’re learning by ear (as many do), it’s easy to swap in a familiar term even if it doesn’t quite make sense. Native speakers aren’t immune to this— they are the biggest culprits! We hear things wrong, repeat them, and before long, everyone’s saying “deep-seeded” like it’s a gardening term.

What Can You Do?

1. Pay Attention to Context: Think about what the phrase means and whether it makes sense in context.
2. Look It Up: When in doubt, consult a reliable dictionary or language resource.
3. Read More: Exposure to well-written texts can help you internalize correct usage over time.
4. Laugh It Off: Mistakes happen! Chuckle to yourself and take comfort in the fact that even native speakers make mistakes.

Bonus Tip

The next time you receive an email from someone talking about “death throws” or how they “could of” done something, take a deep breath. You can correct them gently, or you can just smile to yourself in the knowledge that we’re all in the throes of learning—one malapropism at a time.