43. Maltreated Idioms
1. Two existing idioms are fused into a non-existent one.
It did not take him much trouble.–Sladen. (I take : it costs me)
An opportunity should be afforded the enemy of retiring northwards, more or less of their own account.—Times. (of my own accord; on my own account)
Dr. Kuyper admitted that his opinion had been consulted.–Times. (I consult you: take your opinion)
But it was in vain with the majority to attempt it.–Bagehot. (I attempt in vain: it is vain to attempt)
The captain got out the shutter of the door, shut it up, made it all fast, and locked the door itself.—Dickens. (make it fast: make all fast)
The provisioning of the Russian Army would practically have to be drawn exclusively from the mother country.–Times. (draw provisions: do provisioning)
It gives me the greatest pleasure in adding my testimony.–Daily Telegraph. (I have pleasure in adding: it gives me pleasure to add)
And if we rejected a similar proposition made to us, was it not too much to expect that Canada might not turn in another direction?–Chamberlain (reported). (Might not Canada turn?...to expect that Canada would not turn)
I can speak from experience that...'conversion'...was a very real and powerful thing.–Daily Telegraph. (speak to conversion's being: say that conversion was)
He certainly possessed, though in no great degree, the means of affording them more relief than he practised.–Scott. (preached more than he practised: had means of affording more than he did afford)
My position is one of a clerk, thirty-eight years of age, and married.–Daily Telegraph. (one that no one would envy: that of a clerk)
Abbot, indeed, had put the finishing stroke on all attempts at a higher ceremonial. Neither he nor his household would bow at the name of Christ.–J. R. Green. (put the finishing touches on: given the finishing stroke to)
In this chapter some of these words will be considered, and also some others against which purism has raised objections which do not seem to be well taken.–R. G. White. (exceptions well taken: objections rightly made. To take an objection well can only mean to keep your temper when it is raised)
A woman would instinctively draw her cloak or dress closer to her, and a man leave by far an unnecessary amount of room for fear of coming into contact with those to whom...Daily Telegraph. (by far too great: quite an unnecessary)
