The English language is really difficult to master and even the most proficient speakers are guilty of making making silly mistakes.
We've already compiled a list of the most commonly mispronounced words, so this time we've rounded up a list of 20 popular phrases that most of us, myself included, have been saying wrong our entire lives.
1. Don't say: For all intensive purposes
Do Say: For all intents and purposes
For example: Carol, for all intents and purposes, drove right up to the house.
2. Don't say: I could care less
Do say: I couldn't care less
For example: Jim couldn't care less what people on the internet think about him.
3. Don't say: Hunger Pains
Do say: Hunger Pangs
For example: Tristan is trying not to snack at night despite having severe hunger pangs.
4. Don't say: It's a "doggy-dog" world
Do say: It's a dog-eat-dog world
For example: Owning a business is by no means easy, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there.
5. Don't say: It's a mute point
Do say: It's a moot point
For example: It's a moot point whether the chicken or the egg came first.
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6. Don't say: Peak my interest
Do say: Pique my interest
For example: Talking to a tech expert has piqued my interest in the latest gadgets.
7. Don't say: Nipped it in the butt
Do say: Nipped it in the bud
For example: The problem was nipped in the bud before it got any worse.
8. Don't say: Case and point
Do say: Case in point
For example: Hard work is the key to success. Will Smith's career is a case in point.
9. Don't say: Beckon call
Do say: Beck and call
For example: The employees are always at their manager's beck and call.
10. Don't say: Extract revenge
Do say: Exact revenge
For example: Karen agreed to help her friend exact revenge on her cheating husband.
Wait, there are even more phrases you've been getting wrong!
11. Don't say: The spitting image
Do say: The spit and image
For example: The child is the spit and image of his father.
12. Don't say: On tender hooks
Do say: On tenterhooks
For example: The upcoming football game has the entire city on tenterhooks.
13. Don't say: Hone in
Do say: Home in
For example: She homed in on the food as soon as she walked into the kitchen.
14. Don't say: Runner-ups
Do say: Runners-up
For example: The runners-up were also awarded prizes at the pageant show.
15. Don't say: To make ends meat
Do say: To make ends meet
For example: Debbie works multiple jobs to make ends meet.
16. Don't say: Tongue-and-cheek
Do say: Tongue-in-cheek
For example: The comedian's tongue-in-cheek humor made the entire room laugh out loud.
17. Don't say: One in the same
Do say: One and the same
For example: Bruce Wayne and Batman are one and the same.
18. Don't say: Chock it up
Do say: Chalk it up
For example: Tim chalked up his failure to inexperience.
19. Don't say: Statue of limitations
Do say: Statute of limitations
For example: The statute of limitations for a crime varies by state.
20. Don't say: Wreck havoc
Do say: Wreak havoc
For example: It's been 12 years since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in New Orleans.
