Language is such a complex matter that a lifetime might not be enough to learn all of its ins and outs. And this goes with any of them, which makes English no exception. Despite being the most used one in the world, it often causes difficulties for foreigners and natives alike.

Especially when it comes to set phrases, some of which might sound different from what they actually are. For instance, saving a damsel in this dress, agreeing that looks can be this evening, or seeing a child who is a spit and image of their parent.

Whether it’s lack of familiarity with the language, a typo, or simply uncertainty about what the phrase is exactly, it often leads to some hilarious linguistic misunderstandings. We have browsed the internet to bring to you some of the best examples of such situations that ought to make you giggle. Scroll down for the list and have a good laugh.

#1 Catholic Converter

Image credits: Tighnari

Nowadays, English is the most commonly used language in the world. According to Ethnologue’s 2022 data, there are 373 million native speakers and slightly more than a billion people who use English as a foreign language. (If you’re curious, when it comes to native and non-native speakers combined, it’s followed by Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, and Spanish respectively.)

English is considered the lingua franca that connects people from all over the world. It’s the main language in business, and plays an important role in tourism and many other industries. It is also an essential part of the internet world, as nearly 60% of online content is presented in English.

#2 Eggs-Been-A-D**k

Image credits: supermav27

#3 In Some Near

Image credits: paininmybass

English might be the most used language globally, but that doesn’t mean it’s equally easy to learn for everybody. I remember having to cram idioms back in school, or trying my best to carve all the verb forms into my brain. And still, even after years of studying, an accidental your instead of you’re slips out every once in a while.

The Oxford International Education Group pointed out that mixing these two homophones is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to English grammar. They fall into the same category of headaches together with the usage of modifiers, apostrophes, and other specifics of this colorful language.

But whether you’re a native or not, making mistakes is inevitable. It was the poet Alexander Pope who said “to err is human” in the early 18th century, and it’s still as accurate now, if not even more so. 

#4 Standing Ovulation

Image credits: esketitty

#5 Brown Kite Is

Image credits: cityandshannon

Nowadays, our language has been warped by the influence of technology and social media. Their rapid development constantly brings new words into our vocabulary. For example, the commonly used selfie, troll, unfriend all came from the online world.

Moreover, there’s an ever-growing list of acronyms on the internet as well. (Which, in my honest opinion, is getting difficult to keep up with.) In this fast-paced world, they allow us to save a couple seconds when writing, which we often spend scrolling online anyways, LOL. 

In addition to the good old laughing out loud, you can often encounter such acronyms as TL;DR (too long; didn’t read), SMH (shaking my head), or G2G (good to go), just to name a few.

#6 Salmon Vanilla

Image credits: tastyhotdog245

#7 Urethra!

Image credits: Dwaynetherockcullen

#8 Toe Food

Image credits: vintagepop

But the internet can be a double-edged sword. The same way it encourages us to use slang or forget all about grammar rules, it allows people to get better acquainted with the language and learn it faster. A 2014 survey revealed that 93% of people agree that the internet is useful for learning English.

#9 Doggy Dog

Image credits: SilentNyxx

#10 Going Into Cardigan Arrest

Image credits: Scaulbylausis

#11 Had To Confirm This Is Really What They Mean. Damsel In This Dress

Image credits: OmenLW

The Internet also comes in handy when you have no idea what a certain phrase means. A quick online search can help figure out why it’s called a catalytic converter (related to catalyst) rather than a Catholic converter or why taken aback might make more sense than taking a bath when it comes to someone’s indescribable beauty. 

#12 Circumcise

Image credits: unaware-wolf

#13 Urethral

Image credits: AgreeableAd9816

#14 Always Make Sure You Use Your Tongue!

Image credits: drbrydges

Britannica covered the etymology of some popular phrases in English in one of their articles. It revealed that saying to turn a blind eye could be traced back to a man using his blind eye for looking through a telescope. While the popular expression of feeling under the weather arguably relates to sailors hiding under the bow of the ship to hide from bad weather conditions when feeling ill.

#15 Blubbery Cheese Cake

Image credits: fluffychonkycat

#16 Jena Rated

Image credits: AntonK2439

#17 Silent Language

Image credits: Hernik26

Some more examples, such as letting one’s hair down or giving a cold shoulder were explained by Grammarly. If taken quite literally, these expressions might throw someone off guard. (Especially if it’s a foreign language they’re trying to wrap their head around.) 

However, they are based on events in the past that were exactly what the idioms say—letting their hair down was something aristocratic women would do when they came home and could finally relax; while a shoulder of mutton, pork, or beef chop was given to a guest signaling it’s time for them to leave.

#18 Ankle Grinder

Image credits: Strong-Plastic4420

#19 Mitch Match Civil Where

Image credits: CuteCanary

#20 Genius Aqua

Image credits: reddit.com

Such phrases can be a pain in the neck to learn. Even native speakers themselves are often confused by them, as you have likely noticed by now. But learning all of them is close to impossible, as there are arguably 25,000 of idiomatic expressions in the English language.

#21 Bob Wire

Image credits: lewdlySmell46

#22 Breakfast Nuke

Image credits: discosanta

#23 Nip It In The Butt

Image credits: TheDriver458

The same way learning the subtleties of English might be frustrating to non-native speakers, other languages present hoops for the native ones to jump through as well. However, Gallup revealed that a quarter of Americans can hold a conversation in a foreign language; most commonly Spanish. According to Babble, it’s the third easiest language for English speakers to learn, preceded only by Norwegian and Swedish.

#24 Air Ducks

Image credits: AH_Nastyface

#25 Meta Pause

Image credits: oliviaisacat

#26 A Pitta Me

Image credits: WalterLeDuy

If you want to continue getting acquainted with the etymology and usage of English sayings, click here to learn the history behind 66 commonly used ones or read about the phrases people are using incorrectly here. And if you think you’ve reached your daily limit with this language, browse 30 of people’s favorite non-english phrases and their literal meanings here.

#27 Takin A Bath By Her Beauty

Image credits: Mr_Makaveli_187

#28 A Mere Marketplace Mear

Image credits: JephaHowler

#29 Delicious Hand Soup

Image credits: FabulousCeiba

#30 "Looks Can Be A Little This Evening "

Image credits: MiddleAd4909

#31 Jack Off All Traits

Image credits: PastelHarmony

#32 Fridge Raider

Image credits: -BossHog-

#33 Garlic Permission

Image credits: RippyADMB

#34 Living Life Bi-Curiously

Image credits: nickyfrags69

#35 Entry Pioneer

Image credits: W0lf_LoverTV

#36 Too Flamboyant To Swim

Image credits: La_Marina

#37 Mow-Nourished

Image credits: shmabeog

#38 Paper Machete

Image credits: Murky_Part_6318

#39 Cone Sent Lmao

Image credits: Accidentally_Lee

#40 Fat Button Girls - Queen

Image credits: I1221Me

#41 Fire Distinguisher

Image credits: joe-vee-wan

#42 I Love All My Metals

Image credits: Foxically

#43 Pheasant

Image credits: carib-arena

#44 Apparently Fire Exists

Image credits: l1b3rtr1n

#45 A Soccer Punch

Image credits: scandinalian

#46 Camel Meal Tea Is Good For You!

Image credits: Devbrostated

#47 Or Best Awful

Image credits: funkylemongamer

#48 Cadillac Converter!

Image credits: Tw1ch1e

#49 Like I'm At The Foreskin Of Everybody's Mind

Image credits: GroundbreakingSeat82

#50 Active God

Image credits: GoatBuster01

#51 “Spit And Image”

Image credits: Any_Illustrator4699

#52 Review Mirrors

Image credits: JoojKarlos

#53 The Resistance

Image credits: Exodias_Left_Nut

#54 Such A Beautiful Neckless

Image credits: bradido

#55 They Can't Handle My Cork Collection

Image credits: KataeaDream

#56 Lonely Tennessee Melons Can’t Elope

Image credits: abjectHaggler601

#57 They Went Instinct For A Reason

Image credits: struggle_bus_nation

#58 Be Safe. Ammonia Season Is Here

Image credits: CSB103

#59 I Finally Encountered A New One. Universe City

Image credits: 1500sitalyman

#60 Pond Shop

Image credits: casstocoast

#61 Chimp Change

Image credits: the_vince_horror

#62 Gold Sequence Dress

Image credits: WelshBathBoy

#63 Cyst And Desist

Image credits: RaquelsNosePasta

#64 Ease Dropper

Image credits: AgentOfMediocrity

#65 You’ve Gotta Watch Out For That Rabid Hole

Image credits: sendintheotherclowns

#66 What The Heck?

Image credits: Proof-Computer

#67 Pick Neck

Image credits: sirskiddledims

#68 Jordan Snickers

Image credits: escortdrummer

#69 Grandma Seizures

Image credits: ConcernPrestigious12

#70 Gape Keeping

Image credits: ThatGuyTheyCallAlex

#71 Known Demand

Image credits: RoastThatToast

#72 "Exhausted Fan" Must Get Tired Pretty Quickly

Image credits: truc_de_ouf

#73 Any Nut Shall, Can’t Punch A Friend While She’s Already Down

Image credits: swaggo666

#74 Live Leaf Love

Image credits: dwighticus

#75 Lawn Enforcement

Image credits: alxmartin

#76 Color Green

Image credits: notcoolcoffee