Words and phrases that are confusing.

I add to this list as I fancy. Contributions are welcome.

“fighting with”

For example, fighting with ISIS.

Are you fighting alongside ISIS, or are you fighting against ISIS?

“prone to lying”

“prone to lying” sounds like something to do with being on the ground… prone and lying mean the same thing

cleave

oversight

aloha

“used to”

“Nails used to hold wood together.”

Do they not any more?

colourable

Words are great, aren’t they? I learned today that the word colourable could mean plausible or reasonable but also fraudulent, feigned, pretended or spurious.

A bit like cleave, I suppose…

https://twitter.com/Dave_Lifelines/status/1388093721087025153

refrain

Stop doing something, do something again

“I’ll be driving”

I will be in charge of the meeting and present

or

I am in my car, I cannot present