Mixed metaphors

English professors love to catch the errors students make on their term papers, and they love nothing better than to catch mixed metaphors. Here are some of the best:

• “She’s burning the midnight oil at both ends.”
• “It was so cold last night I had to throw another blanket on the fire.”
• “It’s time to step up to the plate and cut the mustard.”
• “She’s robbing Peter to pay the piper.”
• “He’s up a tree without a paddle.”
• “Beware my friend…you are skating on hot water.”
• “Keep your ear to the grindstone.”
• “Sometimes you’ve gotta stick your neck out on a limb.”
• “Some people sail through life on a bed of roses like a knife slicing through butter.”
• “He swept the rug under the carpet.”