Mixed metaphor

A mixed metaphor is a traditionally disfavored figure of speech whereby two different analogies or images are used to make a point.

Here are some examples:

• "Let's swing the bat and see if we can score a touchdown!" (Problem: sports metaphors are fine, but don't mix baseball and football images)

• "If George Washington were alive, then he'd be rolling over in his grave." (Problem: one image or other, not both at the same time because he wouldn't be in a grave if he were alive)

Most presidents have been criticized for using mixed metaphors. Here is one by George W. Bush:

• "The senator has got to understand if he's going to have — he can't have it both ways. He can't take the high horse and then claim the low road."