Commonly Misused Phrases That Make You Sound Less Professional
When deciding which phrase to use at work, it pays to be very careful. Knowing the difference between commonly misused phrases will help keep you from seeming unprofessional. Your reputation at work could even make the difference between getting that big promotion or not. Read on to learn the correct way to use some commonly misused phrases.
"Tongue And Cheek" Versus "Tongue In Cheek"
"Tongue in cheek" is a phrase that carries sarcasm, exaggeration, and irony. An example would be Tom Cruise saying his career is over during a speech after just winning two Academy Awards.
Many people commonly use "tongue and cheek" by mistake. "Tongue and cheek" can only mean that a cheek and tongue were involved.
Expresso Versus Espresso
Baristas everywhere, we feel your pain and apologize on behalf of those in society who don't know the difference. When you go to order one of your favorite drinks from Starbucks, be sure you're saying it correctly. You can always order as many espressos as you want.
Too bad you can't order an "expresso." Expressos do not exist at the moment. Thankfully, the person taking your order will know what you mean either way.
"Peaked Interest" Versus "Piqued Interest"
Don't be that person who uses this expression wrong. You must know the difference between "peak" and "pique" before you start throwing this phrase around.
In most cases, people mean to use the expression "piqued interest." Here, "piqued" means that someone's interest was excited or stimulated. For example, brightly colored objects might pique a baby's interest, or a new book might pique the interest of an avid reader.
"Statue Of Limitations" Versus "Statute Of Limitations"
We get it, not all of us are fluent in the legal talk. However, you'll sound ridiculous if you mess up this expression. The frequently misused term is "statue of limitations."
Hold it right there. This is not a sculpture of limitations. The correct way to say this is "statute of limitations." It is a term defining "the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated."
Good Versus Well
"Doing well" and "doing good" are used interchangeably so often that people think either is fair to use. They also think they have the same meaning.
News flash: these two phrases do not hold the same meaning You use "good" when you wish to modify nouns. "Well" should be used when you want to modify a verb. Examples: I am having a good day and My day is going well.
"Beckon Call" Versus "Beck And Call"
Loved ones could be referred to as "at their significant other's beck and call." This means that they are willing and ready to respond to a request given to them at any moment. That must be a great feeling to have someone at your beck and call.
"Beckon call" isn't a real phrase at all, unless you have a friend by the name of Beckon who gives you a ring on the phone.
"Should Have" Versus "Should Of"
These two are tricky to some people because of how close they sound. When you use "should have," you often turn it into its contraction form "should've." That word sounds a lot like "should of." Because of that, people tend to get comfortable with using both.
The correct phrase is always "should have." You should have paid more attention in class and this goalie should have stopped the ball before the other team scored.
"Escape Goat" Versus "Scapegoat"
If you're a farmer with various animals under your care, then you may have a valid case to use "escape goat" if one of the herd gets away.
Most of us should never use "escape goat." The correct term is a "scapegoat." A scapegoat is someone who takes the blame, gets thrown under the bus, or whatever other term you want to use to describe it. Don't let yourself be a scapegoat.
"Physical Year" Versus "Fiscal Year"
"Hi yes, do you think our company is going to have a better physical year than last year?" The facial response in the photo here is the face someone might make if they get asked that. With only a slight difference in pronunciation, these two get confused often.
Unless you're an athlete, you probably don't have "physical years." The term that people get confused with "physical year" is "fiscal year." The fiscal year is for taxes and accounting purposes.
"Peace Of Mind" Versus "Piece Of Mind"
These two phrases are pronounced the same. Spelling separates them, so you must use them correctly to avoid confusion. "Piece of mind" is typically used when someone really lets you have it.
"Peace of mind" means something completely different. Finishing a hard assignment is something that can provide you with peace of mind. "Peace of mind" conveys positivity while a "piece of mind" is negative. Be sure to give your co-workers peace of mind.
"Doggie Dog" Versus "Dog Eat Dog"
These are two entirely different phrases. "Doggie dog" is a phrase you would use to describe one of your dog friends. You might even refer to one of your human friends as "doggie dog." As far as "dog eat dog" goes, that's an entirely differeny ballpark.
The two phrases almost sound similar depending on how fast you say them. "Dog eat dog" is used to describe a competitive environment. Sometimes, it can be a dog-eat-dog world.
"Buy In Large" Versus "By And Large"
"Buy in large" and "by and large" are two terms you shouldn't mix up. "By and large" means "generally speaking" or "in general."
"Buy in large" isn't really an expression but if it was, it would mean to buy a large quantity of something. For example, if you were on a date at the movies and you're a little hungrier than usual, then the popcorn is something you might buy in large. People mix these two up often.
"Jive With" Versus "Jibe With"
You can both "jive" and "jibe" with someone. These are two different verbs whose appropriateness depends on your location. When you "jive," you're dancing with someone in a sense. It's probably not something you'd say in the workplace.
To "jibe with" someone means to get along with or understand. If your boss asks how things are going with the new employee, you can always say the two of you are jibing.
"For All Intensive Purposes" Versus "For All Intents And Purposes"
This phrase is commonly misused. "Intensive" means something is focused or powerful, so unless you're only referring to one main, focused purpose, you don't want to use this phrase.
The correct phrase is "for all intents and purposes," which is a sixteenth-century legal term meaning "in every practical sense" or “virtually." So for the purposes of sounding professional, keep this information in mind.
"Old Timer's Disease" Versus "Alzheimer's Disease"
If you haven't encountered anyone who uses the phrase "old timer's disease," consider yourself lucky. This silly misuse of phrases is often meant as a joke, but sometimes people genuinely don't know the difference.
Alzheimer's, a progressive disease involving dementia, is no laughing matter, so these phrases shouldn't be interchangeable at all.
"Deep-Seeded" Versus "Deep-Seated"
This is another case where two different spellings sound nearly identical when spoken, but only one is the correct use of a common expression. "Deep-seated" refers to an emotion that is deeply buried inside.
Planting a deep seed means you're gardening. It's not incorrect when referring to planting a tree but isn't something you'd use in the workplace (unless you work in agriculture).
"One In The Same" Versus "One And The Same"
This one can be tough to distinguish for many people, especially since the two phrases sound so similar. The correct version is "one and the same," because when you're discussing a person, for example, that is the same exact person someone else is talking about, they are one and the same.
"One in the same" makes no grammatical sense, so don't be caught using it as an expression when you're at work... or anywhere else.
"On Accident" Versus "By Accident"
These two might seem similar but one of them is only used when spoken aloud and the other is the correct phrase to write. "On accident" is the one that is generally considered to be a spoken term only.
"By accident" is the right phrase to use to indicate that something was unintentionally caused. "He spilled a gallon of milk by accident" is an example of the correct way to use it in a sentence.
"Self-Depreciating" Versus "Self-Deprecating"
While using either of these phrases probably wouldn't be helpful to you in your pursuit of sounding professional, it would at least be helpful to know which version you don't want to use.
"Depreciation" is a financial term referring to something that loses value. Humans can't technically lose value in the same sense, but they can be self-deprecating when they're being hard on themselves. Remember, it doesn't help to be self-deprecating in the professional world. Have confidence!
"360-Degree Change" Versus "180-Degree Change"
When someone is going downhill fast in life, he or she might want to change things up. They might say that they're going to make a 360-degree change. People often forget that a 360 is a full turnaround that ends up back at the same place. However, a 180-degree change means turning in a whole new direction.
If you make changes for the better, that is a 180-degree change. Make the 180-degree change and stop using the version of the phrase with 360-degrees.
"Fall By The Waste Side" Versus "Fall By The Wayside"
Many things can fall by the wayside. An older player on a team falls by the wayside. Your driving skills as you get up there in age can also fall by the wayside. Not much can fall by the waste side. That is, unless you're referring to an area where there's a lot of trash on either side.
So throw out the phrase "fall by the waste side" if you ever actually used it. You only need to know fall by the wayside.
"Case And Point" Versus "Case In Point"
When trying to differentiate between these two, always remember "in" focuses on a certain matter. "And" means you're going for separate actions.
"Case in point" is something you might hear in the court of law or when something is being used as an example. "Case and point" sounds more like you're trying to outline the steps to use in a robbery. It's definitely not something to say at work.
"Irregardless" Versus "Regardless"
Aficionados of the English language will probably stop talking to you if you use the word "irregardless." Though it's technically in the dictionary, please note that official dictionaries often add colloquial words to reflect the fact that people use them.
"Irregardless" was never technically a word, regardless of what you hear people say these days. We generally use both to mean the same thing, but "irregardless" is just repetitive and nonsensical. Regardless, people are still probably going to use the wrong term, but please don't be one of them.
"Make Do" Versus "Make Due"
When you "make do" with something, you're getting by with whatever means you already have.
You can "make something due" at a certain date or deadline, but that is completely different from the former phrase. The only reason people mix these two up is because they sound the same. Be sure and use the correct spelling, "make do." You'll sound much more professional in your correspondence.
"Nerve-Wrecking" Versus "Nerve-Wracking"
There are plenty of nerve-wracking situations to go around, especially at work. That doesn't mean you have to misuse the phrase. Figuring out which expression is the correct one can also become nerve-wracking.
The accurate way to use this term is "nerve-wracking." You may also get away with "nerve-racking" when attempting to use it in written form. Just be sure to pronounce it correctly because wrecking sounds completely different than wracking.
"I Could Care Less" Versus "I Couldn't Care Less"
This is probably one of the most commonly misused phrases you will encounter or perform yourself. Whether you care or not, is the real question. Usually, when someone uses this phrase, they are trying to show how little they care. In the end, they end up revealing they do care.
Saying "I could care less" means you care to a certain extent. There's room to "care less" when stated this way. When you use "I couldn't care less," you're saying what you mean.
"Nip It In The Butt" Versus "Nip It In The Bud"
If you've ever told someone you had to "nip it in the butt," then they probably had a strange reaction. After all, you just said you did something to someone's derriere.
Let's nip this miscommunication in the bud right now. When you use the phrase, you mean that you are putting something to an end before it can progress. This comes from the idea of de-budding flowers before they had a chance to grow into a full bloom.
"Shoe-In" Versus "Shoo In"
When we use this phrase, we're usually saying that someone is going to win. People probably think saying that person is a "shoe-in" is the correct version, especially since that has the visualization of someone having their foot in the door.
It's actually wrong, though. The original phrase is "shoo in," which comes from back when horse racing was big. People would try to "shoo," or in other words urge, the horses to victory.
"Mute Point" Versus "Moot Point"
To say that a topic of conversation has reached a "moot point" means that that topic is irrelevant or is up to debate, such as whether the chicken or the egg came first.
A "mute point" wouldn't make too much sense. To mute something means to silence it, just as you can with a television at the push of a button. "Mute" is a verb, while "moot" is not.
"Proceed" Versus "Precede"
Both of these are very much legitimate words in the English language, but it's helpful to know the difference between them and when to use them if you want to sound professional.
If you are going to "proceed," it means you are going to continue or move forward with something. This is completely different than if you use the word "precede," which is a verb that explains something that came before another thing. These definitions should precede your thoughts before they proceed to come out of your mouth.
"Shade Light On" Versus "Shed Light On"
Shade and light are contradictory terms. We suppose you could shade a light, but then you'd be blocking the light, which is the opposite of "shed light on."
When you're "shedding light on" something, you're making a topic more clear, which is what people mean when they use this term. Now that we shed some light on how to use this phrase, we hope you don't use the incorrect version.
"Down The Pipe" Versus "Down The Pike"
People use these phrases to indicate that something is about to happen or that it is near. But the correct usage of this idiom is "down the pike" because we're going to tell you now that "down the pipe" was never correct.
Even though people use both phrases to mean the same thing, the original expression was "down the pike," which referred to something coming down the turnpike, as if something is headed your way.
"Flush It Out" Versus "Flesh It Out"
Both of these phrases can be used correctly, but be careful about which one you use in the office. The first one means to purge something, most commonly a toilet, by causing large quantities of water to pass through.
If you have an idea for a project, but don't know exactly where to take it, you would then "flesh out" the idea. The easy way to remember the difference is to think of the visuals behind these two phrases.
"Sneak Peak" Versus "Sneak Peek"
In any normal conversation, there'd be no way to differentiate between these two phrases. But if you were writing either of these out, it's helpful to know the correct version to use.
The key here is to understand the difference between "peak" and "peek." A "peak" is the highest point of something, like a mountain or a building, while a "peek" is a quick glimpse. People say this phrase usually when they're referring to a sly glimpse of something, before its official debut. In that case, you always want to say "sneak peek."
"Bemused" Versus "Amused"
This one is tricky. Because both words sound so similar, people tend to think that the words are synonymous with each other but in fact, they are complete opposites. When you're "amused" you are enjoying something. When you're "bemused," you're bewildered or confused.
Just think of it this way: most people are either bemused or amused by psychological thrillers. They're either bemused because they don't understand what's going on. On the other hand, those who do understand what's going on take great amusement from the film.
"Anyway" Versus "Anyways"
In everyday conversation, people use "anyways" just as often as they use "anyway." Many of us let it slide in normal conversation, but grammar enthusiasts know that everytime someone says "anyways," they're technically wrong.
Especially in cases where you want to sound professional, always remember to use "anyway" without the extra "s" at the end. That way, people will see that not only can you articulate your thoughts in a precise and clear manner, but you also know the difference between the two words.
"Without Further Adieu" Versus "Without Further Ado"
When you hear these phrases, you might consider them to be saying the same thing. However, only one of them is correct. "Adieu" is the French way of saying goodbye. "Ado" is another word for hubbub or fuss.
When someone says "without further ado," they mean to cut through all the nonsense and get straight to the point. To say "without further adieu" wouldn't have the same effect.
"Step Foot" Versus "Set Foot"
Both of these phrases can be used interchangeably since neither of them is technically incorrect. However, most people use "set foot" as in, "the minute Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, history was made."
In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary notes that the phrase "set foot" is centuries older than its counterpart. So if you want to be more traditional and thereby sound more professional, we suggest saying "set foot" as opposed to "step foot."
"Try And" Versus "Try To"
We're sure that you've heard someone say that they're going to "try and do something" and you probably didn't blink an eye to the phrase. While most people get away with saying either, for the sake of sounding professional, it might help to know that you should "try to" use the correct version.
If you "try to" do something, then you're actively working toward achieving whatever it is you're doing. On the other hand, when you "try and" do something, you're trying on top of doing something else.
"Hone In" Versus "Home In"
These two phrases sound very similar, so it's easy to assume that you're saying the same thing when you use one or the other. In fact, they have two very distinct meanings and it's helpful to know which is which.
When you "hone in" on something, you're focusing on it. For example, you're "honing in" on your technical skills. But if you "home in" on something, that means you're getting closer to your goal. Remember, honing in on your technical skills will help you home in on your goal of landing that job.
Ignoring Personal Boundaries
This isn't just about personal space. The moment you start talking loudly on the phone to your significant other while broadcasting your personal problems, you're likely to distract your co-workers and cause animosity.
Love microwaving fish? Just don't, especially if the microwave is near an area where people are busily working at their desks. Personal space intrusion occurs when you hinder someone else's working space whether that's through loud sounds, smells, or even wearing a pungent cologne or perfume. Careers website Monster.com lists strong smells among the worst annoyances reported by employees.
Monopolizing Meetings Is Annoying And Unproductive
If you walk into every meeting with a plan to get all of your own ideas out into the open you're doing meetings all wrong. Taking time away from your co-workers is not only rude, it's most likely going to be unproductive for your company as you create a one-sided environment.
This behavior tells your co-workers that you don't value their time or their opinions. If you monopolize meetings with a large number of people, you'll likely make some work enemies along the way.
Showing Up Late To Every Meeting
First, showing up late to anything is rude, especially if you are the only person showing up late. Making a habit of this practice tells your co-workers you don't value their time. If you don't value your co-workers' time, they won't value your input.
If you want to come off as rude or arrogant, keep showing up to meetings 10 minutes late and then observe how your co-workers treat you following your repeated tardiness.
Being Constantly Pessimistic
If you've ever had to deal with a constantly negative co-worker you're probably well aware of how draining the experience can become. We're not talking about some occasional negative energy but rather the person in your office who is constantly down about everything.
CareerBuilder Chief Human-Resources Officer Rosemary Haefner tells BusinessInsider "There's nothing as energy-draining as having to deal with a pessimistic coworker," and she adds, "Things do go wrong, but even when they do, focus your energy towards what you've learned from a bad situation."
Maintaining A Desk Void Of Items
This one surprised us. An article from Reader's Digest recommends keeping some personal items on your desk. In the least, you should have visible pens, notepads, and various other work-related items on display.
According to RD, the lack of anything on your desk "actually makes it look like you don't care about your job." If you want to see more professional, don't be afraid to show that you care about things outside your job. In fact, if you put in long hours, showing that you are sacrificing some time away from other things you enjoy can go a long way.
Lose Your Phone Addiction, At Least At Work
Using your smartphone to glance at incoming emails or Slack messages is one thing, using it to check on Instagram, Facebook, and personal messages is something completely different.
When you're in meetings with co-workers or having a one-on-one conversation with someone at work, avoid glaring down at your phone. Etiquette expert Sharon Schweitzer told Bustle, "Even a brief moment of distraction due to personal relations on your phone might make your coworkers think you're bored or not committed to your work."
Constantly Interrupting Your Co-Workers
It's fine to jump in and offer a correction if incorrect information is being given. It's something completely different to cut off a co-worker's thoughts because you disagree with them all the time.
The team at HelloGiggles asked people what trait they found unprofessional and "constant interruptions" was near the top of their list. Instead of interrupting, wait for your co-worker to finish their entire thought and then offer your own insight into the topic at hand.
Constantly Trying To Chat With Your Co-Workers
Even in the most social of offices, employees who are dedicated to their work can quickly become annoyed by constant chit-chat.
Washington Post advice columnist Carolyn Hax says you can avoid this issue by watching a co-worker's body language. Hax tells Monster, "When you're telling that hilarious story about your weekend, are your colleague's eyes on you, or drifting over to her computer screen?" You should apologize if you realize you're being distracted and offer to finish the story later. Only finish the story, however, if your co-worker asks about it.
Unexpected Touching
It should go without saying that inappropriate touching can cause legal issues at work. In some cases, however, employees don't realize that they're pushing the boundaries of what their co-workers consider annoying.
Maybe you're a "hugger" and you love to mention out loud, "none of that handshaking, I'm a hugger." Washington Post Work Columnist Karla Miller reminds us to "Remember your co-workers aren't necessarily your friends and even those who are may not enjoy being touched." Err on the side of caution when it comes to engaging in personal contact with co-workers or anyone for that matter.
Faking Illness To Take A Day Off
A CareerBuilder survey found that 35% of employees will fake being sick to get out of work. The team at HR Digest note that it's "rude and inconsiderate when your coworkers have to do your tasks for the day."
If you're constantly calling in sick at the last minute, we suggest that you figure out a better work-life balance when it comes to personal tasks. If you just don't want to go into work, maybe it's time to find another job so you stop inconveniencing your co-workers on a regular basis.
Handling E-Mails With Little Care
There are a lot of ways you can come off as unprofessional with emails. For example, you might take a long time to respond or you might send lengthy emails that could have been sent with fewer, more well thought out words.
Katharine Brooks, Director of Liberal Arts Career Services at The University of Texas Austin, tells Forbes that "You might be perceived as abrupt or rude, or too long-winded or wordy." You may also miss last-minute meeting invites and cause your co-workers to miss their own deadlines when you don't respond fast enough to their required questions.
Not Engaging In Settings That Require Engagement
Careers and Life Sciences website BioSpace notes that being non-engaged with your co-workers will show your unprofessional side. Some of the most obvious signs including rolling your eyes when co-workers are speaking and falling asleep in meetings.
Less obvious forms of unprofessional non-engagement include constantly failing to contribute during meetings and arriving unprepared for meetings. Constantly asking people to repeat what they said when you're asked to contribute but you haven't been paying close attention is another surefire way to show off your lack of professionalism.
Taking Credit For Every Success
Unless you work in a department of one, you're probably not responsible for every success that comes your way, and even then, you probably have help with some tasks. Learning how to take and give credit where it's due is important for coming off as completely professional.
Sharing credit is a great way to show your boss that you're trustworthy and that you engage in decision-making processes with your peers. Lifting up others around you will also lead to more trust which will likely ensure your co-workers have your back when things inevitably go sideways at work.
Dressing For A Demotion
We need to say right off the bat that dressing for a demotion has nothing to do with how your office dresses. We fully understand that casual dress codes have come the norm for many businesses.
Dressing for a demotion specifically focuses on dressing far outside of the typical office clothing choices. If you show up in clubwear, for example, you may be seen as unprofessional, even if your office is jeans and t-shirt friendly. Wearing clothing with inappropriate imagery and sayings, and rolling into the office in messy clothing can also be seen as unprofessional.
Passing The Blame To Your Co-Workers
We've already talked about taking all of the good credit for completed tasks and projects and this goes the other way too. You shouldn't pass the blame to co-workers unless there is solid proof they did something wrong.
Even then, a simple mistake doesn't need to be amplified, instead, talk to your co-worker so they are aware of what they did wrong and offer a better course of action for next time. If you start throwing your co-workers under the bus they will gladly return the favor when the opportunity arises. Effective leaders teach and annoying co-workers tattle over inconsequential actions.
Asking Questions Constantly With Every New Assignment
We want to be really clear about this unprofessional move. Asking questions isn't bad but asking questions repeatedly throughout the day and weeks after you've been handed an assignment is really annoying and could rub your co-workers the wrong way.
Instead, look over your new assignment and create a well-thought-out list of questions you have about the work that lies ahead of you. Don't spout of questions without giving them thought as you may ask a lot of unnecessary questions that waste your co-worker's time. Presenting your questions in a thought out manner also shows you care about the work that needs to be completed.
Don't Be A Know It All
There are many ways you can be a know it all and it's not just about having all the answers. For example, if you simply piggyback on someone else's response without offering anything of new substantiative help, you're going to come off as a know-it-all.
One of the most annoying and unprofessional know-it-all moves you can make is simply rephrasing what other people say. Another common issue is attempting to outdo your co-workers when they respond to a question or offer their own insight.
Bragging Is Unprofessional
Celebrating a win, especially if you were working with a team of co-workers, is fine. Making sure everyone in the office knows how good you did comes across as bragging and employees often find bragging to be unprofessional.
The team at Yahoo Finance! listed several types of bragging as off-limits including speaking in a tone you know will make other people hear about your accomplishment, using a tone of superiority while bragging, and failing to simply say "thank you" when someone congratulates you. Finally, embellishing your accomplishment makes the brag seem even more annoying and unprofessional.
Not Following Good Hygiene Habits
We wish this could go without saying but please make sure you are showered and ready to tackle the day. Showing up to work the night after some heavy drinking and wreaking of alcohol or stale smoke is not going to earn you any praise from co-workers.
Other hygiene issues such as burping and passing gas in the open are also going to send up red flags about your professionalism and are almost certainly going to lead to a hard pass from your boss when it comes to a promotion of any kind.
Selling Stuff At Work
We get that your daughter has Girl Scout cookies to sell or your son's Boy Scout Troop needs to sell 1,000 popcorn tins by Friday but that's a you problem.
Not to sound harsh but it's not polite to corner your co-workers and make them feel obligated to buy the stuff you're selling. It's even worse if the items are not related to activities your children are engaging in because it then sounds opportunistic.
