IDIOMATIC ERRORS (1)

Idioms are structured in English to beautify our conversations. I have a passion for reading books on idiomatic expressions because I strongly believe that using them makes one speak uniquely. In other words, it takes creativity to speak using them. They make you become more expressive whenever you want to connect and communicate with your audience. I hereby enjoin you to study them for your oral and verbal communication.

Today’s lesson is focused on some altered idiomatic expressions we use inaccurately. In English, idioms are not supposed to be changed from their original versions. Any alteration renders them invalid and ungrammatical. I would advise you to forgive yourself and move on by effecting the corrections in your future chats.

ON A PLATTER OF GOLD

This is one of the most common altered idioms in Nigeria. It is used when somebody gets an opportunity without any required effort. For instance, many graduates secure job opportunities with several organizations without being qualified. This is the gory case in our labour market in the country. In a bid to express our notions on this terrible tale, we sometimes erroneously say “on a platter of gold”.

The lady, who graduated with a pass from the university, got a job in the company on a platter of gold. The question is, what is the problem with the idiom used in the above sentence?

The origin of “on a platter of gold” is unknown but I would love to note that “on a silver platter” is the original version.

The lady, who graduated with a pass from the university, got a job with the company on a silver platter.

(Correct)

I was also surprised after learning that this expression, which has been in use for centuries, is substandard. You are likely to have been captivated after reading this article.

Other suitable examples

The lecturer was appointed as the minister on a silver platter.

Monica got her grades on a silver platter.

A GREEN

Snake Under The Green Grass

Deceitful and scheming people are often referred to as green snakes under the green grass. Of course, most snakes are naturally green and grasses also have the same colour. When you have a snake under the grass, you may not discover its harmful presence. This reminds me of how a man was swindled by two fraudulent ‘Yahoo’ boys because he needed money seriously. Scammers are indeed experts at disguising and hoodwinking their victims into believing that they are real and reliable.

Study the following sentences.

Does Aisha know that her friend is a green snake under the green grass? (Wrong)

Does Aisha know that her friend is a snake under the grass? (Correct)

Get out! You are a green snake under the green grass.

(Wrong)

Get out! You are a snake under the grass. (Correct)

“A snake under the grass” is the correct idiom! I hope this is explicit enough.

Buckle Up

Students are always implored to “buckle up” and improve their academic performances. I recall that some of our teachers incorrectly wrote this same expression on our report cards during our primary school days. Almost everyone has wrongfully learnt that

Choose the right answer to each of the following questions.

“buckle up” means “put more effort.” It sounds good, but its use is ungrammatical in the context of encouraging someone to improve. Kindly consult your dictionary to confirm that BUCKLE UP means “to fasten one’s safety belt” while BUCKLE DOWN means “to become serious”.

Sola, buckle up and improve your CGPA for a second-class honours degree.

(Wrong)

Sola, buckle down and improve your CGPA for a second-class honours degree.

(Correct)

In Hot Soup

I emphasized at the beginning of this class that idioms should not be amended for any reason. Do you know that the simple idiom is “in the soup”? Please, note that “hot” should be replaced by “the”. According to the Oxford English Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “in the soup” means “in trouble”.

Assignment

Mohammed, you are in hot soup for stealing my money. (Wrong)

Mohammed, you are in the soup for stealing my money. (Correct)

I was in the soup throughout last year. (Correct)

I was in soup throughout last year. (Wrong)

RAISE/SOUND ALARM

In 2020, the world was in dilemma of the coronavirus. Several countries grappled with its gruesome effects on the global economy. Consequently, several companies had to shut down while others also downsized their members of staff. It was a challenging period indeed. The Nigerian Police Force enforced the proactive laws made to halt its spread among other residents. There were lockdowns in almost all states, and every media platform was used to sound the alarm about the symptoms of the virus.

When you sound or raise

1. The man ---------- about the armed robbers’ invasion. (a) raised alarm (b) raised the alarm (c) sounded alarm

2. The students are in ------ for assaulting their teachers.

(a) hot soup (b) in the soup (c) in soup the alarm, you warn people about/against something or someone. The widespread error with this idiom is the omission of the article “the”.

Examples

Some doctors sounded alarm about the virus. (Wrong)

Some doctors sounded the alarm about the virus. (Correct)

Her mother raised alarm against teenage pregnancy. (Wrong)

Her mother raised the alarm against teenage pregnancy. (Correct)

Names of students who answered the last questions correctly.

Sado Favour, Oreshade Oluwagbenga, Olive Alimi, Yusuf Gbemiro, Adebayo Ifeoluwa, Fakeye Oluwadarasimi, Oluniyi Mojolaoluwa, Akindunjoye Micheal and Ayobami Safiyyah.

3. The professor advised his children to........... and improve their academic performances. (a) buckle up (b) buckle down (c) buckle Kindly forward your answers to 07049203179 or samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com. This column is highly recommended to improve your writing and speaking skills. Do not miss it every Saturday.