What Is a Malaphor? | Definition & Examples

A malaphor is a blend of two or more idioms or phrases into a single expression that ends up being nonsensical, confusing, amusing, or surprising.

What is a malaphor?

A malaphor is when two different phrases or idioms combine to create a single new phrase. This results in a nonstandard expression that’s often unexpected, absurd, and even unintentionally funny (e.g., combining “we’re barking up the wrong tree” and “we’re betting on the wrong horse” to say “we’re barking up the wrong horse”).

Malaphors sometimes result when someone’s mind inadvertently combines two words or phrases into one. Or it can be done intentionally, which is how the word “malaphor” originated. The first recorded use was when writer Lawrence Harrison combined “malapropism” and “metaphor” into “malaphor” in a Washington Post article titled “Searching for Malaphors.”

Malaphor examples

The mixup of phrases in malaphors often adds a bit of humor to everyday conversation. Because they’re often used unintentionally, they highlight the amusing results of blending idioms and phrases in unexpected ways.

Funny malaphor examples

In a 2019 interview, US Representative Nancy Pelosi combined the phrases “hit the ground running” and “hit the nail on the head.”

Sometimes, malaphors are created because two terms create an unconscious free association. For example, “that puts a wrench in the works” might make someone think of a monkey wrench.

Malaphor vs malapropism

Malaphors and malapropisms are similar, but they have distinct differences.

• A malaphor is the unintentional blending of two idioms or phrases.
• A malapropism substitutes a word with a word that sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.

Frequently asked questions about malaphors

What is the difference between a malaphor and a mixed metaphor?

The terms malaphor and mixed metaphor are often used interchangeably because they both involve combining phrases in a clashing way. There are some differences between the two, though.

A malaphor unintentionally combines two common phrases or idioms in an unexpected or nonsensical way (e.g., “Let’s burn that bridge when we get to it”).

Mixed metaphors are when two metaphors with clashing meanings are combined. For example, in the following sentences, the ideas of love as a plant and love as a baby bird are combined: “Love is like a seed. You have to water it and wait patiently. After many months, it might finally take flight.”

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you come up with the perfect words to express your writing.