Writers sometimes encounter spelling problems when using figures of speech or expressions. One I’ve seen frequently is “If you think ____ then you’ve got another thing coming.” Wrong. The expression is “you’ve got another think coming.” No, it doesn’t make sense, but it is a figure of speech meaning “think again.”
Then there is “champing at the bit,” an expression originating from horse riding. “Chomping at the bit” is a variation, but the original expression comes from the horse’s impatience to get going. It champs (meaning to chew nervously) at the rod in the harness that goes between its teeth. Chomping is acceptable, but the original expression is spelled “Champing.”
A figure of speech I caught in a newly published book used the homophone “reign” for “rein.” Another horse riding figure of speech, one “reins in” their feelings, emotions, temper, etc. In other words, he or she pulls on the reins to hold the horse back. If you see the expression “he reigned in his feelings,” it’s wrong. Reign means to rule over. He may reign over his feelings, but he reins them in.
It would take another post to address anachronistic figures of speech, but do be mindful of when an expression came into use. For instance, the earliest printed use of “the whole nine yards” I’ve found is from 1962, although “dressed to the nines” is much older. Both expressions are thought to refer to the nine yards of fabric required to make a suit.
When in doubt, research the origins of the expression to be sure the words and spelling are accurate and the time frame in which you use them is acceptable.
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