mixed metaphor

American  

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.”

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mixed metaphor British  

noun

1. a combination of incongruous metaphors, as when the Nazi jackboots sing their swan song

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Etymology

Origin of mixed metaphor

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The metallic colors on stage will blur and shine and hypnotize in HD just as well as they did live, and it will feel like luxuriating in a mixed metaphor just as it did live.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2023

The resulting mess is what you might call a mixed metaphor, or maybe just a redundant one.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2022

This is something of a mixed metaphor, but I think you get my point.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 28, 2022

This VHS conceit is a bit of a mixed metaphor given that you are playing the game, not watching someone else play it.

From The Verge • Nov. 24, 2019

This from Zoe, mixed metaphor and all, who at seventeen kept Doll's House, Freud, Anna Karenina, and Ellen Key on the table beside her bed.

From Star-Dust by Hurst, Fannie