New Study Reveals Which American Phrases Confuse The World Most

• "Backseat Driver"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Northern Ireland

  The idiom “backseat driver” is often used to describe someone who offers unsolicited advice or criticisms. However, the origins of the phrase are actually quite literal. In the early days of motoring, passengers would often try to help the driver navigate by giving them directions from the backseat. Of course, this would usually just end up confusing the driver and causing more problems than it solved. Over time, the phrase came to be used more broadly to describe anyone who offers unwanted help or advice. So next time you find yourself being a backseat driver, just remember that you’re not actually doing any favors.

• "Beat Around The Bush"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Pakistan

  The phrase “beat around the bush” is a bit confusing because it seems to contradict itself. How can you beat something if you’re going around it? The idiomatic meaning of the phrase, however, is not to attack something head-on, but to avoid the issue or to be evasive.

  This phrase can be confusing because people often expect it to mean that you should attack an issue head-on. But when you “beat around the bush”, you’re actually avoiding the issue and being evasive.

• "Break A Leg"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Algeria, Malaysia, Uzbekistan

  The phrase “break a leg” is often used as a wish of good luck before an actor goes on stage. However, the literal meaning of the phrase is to break your leg. This could be quite confusing if you’re not aware of the idiom’s origins.

  The phrase most likely originated from an old belief that breaking a bone was a way to ward off evil spirits. In fact, the phrase appears in various forms in many different languages. So, next time someone wishes you good luck and you’re tempted to thank them, just remember that they might have meant for you to break your leg instead!

• "Bucket List"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Finland, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda

  A bucket list is a list of things a person wants to do before they die. The term “bucket list” can be confusing because it sounds like the items on the list should be put in a bucket, which is why it’s the 3rd most confusing saying on the list worldwide.

• "Cherry On Top"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Dominican Republic

  The idiom “cherry on top” is a term used to describe something that is a nice addition or bonus. It can be confusing, however, because it’s easy to misinterpret the phrase as meaning that the item in question is actually a cherry, when in fact it’s just a metaphor. For example, if someone says they got a new car and “the cherry on top” was that it came with a free year of insurance, most people would understand that the free insurance is not actually made out of cherries.

• "Cold Feet"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: England, Ghana

  “Cold feet” is an idiomatic phrase which means to be apprehensive or fearful about something, especially when it comes to making a decision. It can also mean to have second thoughts.

  The phrase can be confusing because in some cases, having cold feet literally means having cold feet – as in your feet are cold. So if someone says their partner had cold feet before the wedding, it might not mean they were afraid, but that their toes were chilly!

• "Cold Turkey"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Belgium

  The phrase “cold turkey” is often used to describe the sudden and complete withdrawal from something that has a strong hold on someone. Unfortunately, this isn’t just a metaphor – it can also be quite literal. If you try to quit smoking or drinking “cold turkey”, you might very well find yourself with a nasty case of the flu!

• "Come Hell Or High Water"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Austria

  Hell and high water are two things you definitely don’t want to experience, which is why the phrase “come hell or high water” is so powerful. It means that no matter what happens, you will face it head on and overcome it.

  The phrase can be confusing though, because it sounds like you might have a choice in the matter. But of course, you don’t – come hell or high water, you’re going to deal with whatever life throws your way.

• "Couch Potato"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Australia, Germany, South Korea

  The idiom “couch potato” is a term used to describe someone who spends too much time watching television. It can be confusing because it doesn’t literally mean a potato that is sitting on a couch. Rather, it means someone who is lazy and inactive, just like a potato would be.

• "Cut Them Some Slack"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Fiji, Honduras, Libya, Luxembourg

  The idiomatic expression “cut them some slack” is often used to mean that someone deserves a break, or should be forgiven for their mistakes. However, this phrase can also be interpreted more literally to mean that one should cut the ropes or cords which are holding something in place.

  This could lead to some confusion if someone were to use the phrase in a funny tone, as it could be misinterpreted as meaning that they should actually cut someone else some slack.

• "Dead As A Doornail"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Guatemala

  The idiom “dead as a doornail” is often used to describe something that is no longer alive. But what people might not know is that doornails were once used to keep the door closed. If someone was Dead As A Doornail, it would mean they were so heavy that they kept the door from shutting.

• "Devil Is In The Details"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic Of Congo, Nicaragua, Sudan

  The devil is in the details is an old saying that means the devil is in the small things. It can be confusing because people usually think of the devil as being in Hell, which is obviously not a place where you would find details. But if you think about it, the devil does like to get involved in things and make them more complicated than they need to be. So this saying makes a lot of sense!

• "Devil's Advocate"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates

  The term “devil’s advocate” is often used to describe someone who takes on the role of opposing an idea, even though they may agree with it. This can be confusing because it seems like they are actually advocating for the devil.

  In reality, this person is simply playing the role of skeptic, and their job is to poke holes in the argument and find flaws in the logic. It seems like most of the Middle East had an issue with this one, making it the 2nd most confusing phrase in the list.

• "Dog Days Of Summer"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Argentina, Bulgaria

  The dog days of summer are the hottest, most humid days of the year. They usually happen in late July and August. But what many people don’t know is that the term “dog days” has nothing to do with dogs!

  The phrase actually comes from an ancient Roman belief that Sirius, the Dog Star, brought heat and humidity with it. So if you’re feeling especially sweaty and uncomfortable these days, you can blame Sirius!

• "Don't Be A Wet Blanket"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Cameroon

  Wet blankets are not just a drag at parties, they can also be a real downer when it comes to creativity.

  In the world of creativity, wet blankets are people who kill ideas. They’re the ones who shoot down new ideas before they have a chance to grow, or who insist on judging and analyzing everything to death. They’re the Debbie Downers of the creative world.

  And while being critical and analytical is an important part of the creative process, too much evaluation can actually kill creativity. So if you want to be more creative, learn how to resist the urge to be a wet blanket.

• "Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Bangladesh, India

  Don’t judge a book by its cover is an old saying that means you can’t judge something or someone based on their appearance. This is often confusing because people do judge books by their covers all the time, especially if they are looking for a new book to read. So in a way, this idiom is actually quite misleading!

• "Down The Hatch"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Scotland

  “Down the hatch” is a term often used to describe drinking alcohol. But what many people don’t know is that “hatch” can also mean to vomit. So if you’re ever at a party and someone offers you a drink and says “down the hatch,” be careful! They may not be offering you a drink after all.

• "Eat Your Heart Out"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Netherlands

  to be very envious of someone because they have something that you want or admire them for it

  – usually used as a warning or insult to show the person is not worth being jealous of

  – can also be used sarcastically to mean the opposite, that the person is actually terrible and should feel bad about themselves

• "Face The Music"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Hungary, Peru

  “Face the music” is an idiom that means to accept the consequences of one’s actions.

  However, this phrase can be confusing because it could be interpreted as meaning “to stand in front of a band playing music.” This could lead to some very awkward and embarrassing situations.

• "Head Over Heels"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Brazil, New Zealand

  Idioms are confusing enough without head over heels taking on two different meanings. When you’re head over heels in love, you’re completely smitten, swept off your feet. But when you fall down and hit your head, you’re in serious trouble. So if someone says they’re head over heels for you, be flattered – but if they say they fell down and hit their head, run!

• "Hold Someone At Arm's Length"

  

   

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Croatia

  Idioms are confusing. They’re like a second language that we use in our first language. And, just like with any other foreign language, sometimes the translations just don’t quite make sense. Take “hold someone at arm’s length,” for example. What does that even mean? Literally, it means to keep someone away from you by holding their arms outstretched. But figuratively, it means to keep your distance from someone, either emotionally or physically. You might do this if you don’t trust them or if you don’t want them to get too close.

• "Knocked My Socks Off"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Niger

  The idiom “knocked my socks off” is defined as being very impressed or surprised. It can be confusing in a funny tone because it sounds like the person is actually knocked over and their socks have come off.

• "Monkey Business"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Czech Republic, Switzerland

  Monkey business is a form of mischief or pranks. It can be confusing because it sounds like it could be something sexual, but it’s not.

• "No Pain No Gain"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Columbia, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan

  “No pain, no gain” means that you have to work hard in order to achieve something. This can be confusing because it sounds like the speaker is saying that you won’t get anything unless you’re in pain.

• "No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Puerto Rico

  The idiom “no use crying over spilled milk” means that you shouldn’t worry about something that has already happened and can’t be changed. This can be confusing because it sounds like you’re supposed to cry over the milk.

• "On Cloud Nine"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Portugal

  The idiom “on cloud nine” means very happy and content. It can be confusing in a funny tone because it sounds like you are saying the person is up in the clouds.

• "On The Other Hand"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Hong Kong, Japan

  The idiom “on the other hand” can be confusing in a funny tone because it can be interpreted in multiple ways. It can mean that you are considering an alternate option, or that you are about to say something contradictory.

• "Once In A Blue Moon"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Nepal

  This is something that doesn’t happen very often at all. It has nothing to do with the actual appearance of the blue moon.

• "Out Of My League"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Philippines

  The phrase “out of my league” is used to describe something that is too good for someone. It can be confusing in a funny tone because it sounds like the person is saying that they are not good enough to be in the league.

• "Out Of The Blue"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Morocco, Myanmar

  The idiom “out of the blue” means completely unexpectedly. It can be confusing because it’s not clear why something happened that was so unexpected. It can be used in a funny tone to emphasize how weird and surprising something was.

• "Over The Moon"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Sri Lanka, Thailand

  The phrase “over the moon” typically means very happy or excited. However, in some cases it can be confusing because it can also mean “above the moon,” which would mean someone is looking down on the moon. This can be confusing in a funny tone because it would be as if you’re saying someone is so happy they’re on the moon. Believe it or not, this is the most confusing saying.

• "Paint The Town Red"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Romania, Ukraine

  The idiom “paint the town red” means to celebrate in a very festive way. It can be confusing, though, because it sounds like you’re supposed to paint the town with actual paint!

• "Pardon My French"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: France, Poland

  Pardon my French is an expression used to apologize for cursing or using offensive language in front of people who are not familiar with such words. It can be confusing for people in France because the expression actually comes from English, and not French.

• "Party Pooper"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Greece, Lebanon

  A party pooper is someone who ruins a good time. They can be confusing because they sound like they’re just being rude and actually poop at the party, but they’re actually trying to be funny.

• "Piece Of Cake"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Israel, Norway

  Piece of cake is an idiom that means something is easy. It can be confusing in a funny tone because some call crap cake… so it sounds like you’re saying “piece of s***.”

• "Pipe Dream"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Haiti

  Pipe dream is an unrealistic hope or idea. What… you’re not actually dreaming of pipes?

• "Playing With Fire"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Venezuela

  An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not obvious from the words that make it up. “Playing with fire” is an idiom that means taking risks that could get you in trouble. It can be confusing because it sounds like you’re playing a game, but you really don’t want to be playing with fire if you can help it!

• "Pull Someone's Leg"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Somalia

  To pull someone’s leg means to tell them a joke or a story that isn’t true in order to make them laugh. It does not mean the person is literally going to pull your leg.

• "Rule Of Thumb"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: China, Ethiopia, Tanzania

  Rule of thumb is a phrase that is often used to describe a general guideline or principle that is not always strictly accurate but is based on experience or practical wisdom. It can be confusing because it sounds like it has something to do with actual physical dimensions, like a ruler.

• "See Eye To Eye"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Madagascar, Serbia

  To agree on something. Not to actually stare at each other.

• "Shoot The Breeze"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Angola, Chile

  Shoot the breeze means to chat idly or to gossip. It can be confusing in a funny tone because it sounds like you would be shooting wind when you use it.

• "Something Fishy"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: South Africa

  Hmm, something isn’t quite right here. Something smells fishy. There isn’t a literal fish. There is no seafood here. It’s a saying. Relax.

• "Speak Of The Devil"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Vietnam

  The idiom “speak of the devil” is often used to refer to someone who has just arrived, or who is about to arrive, after being mentioned or thought of. It can be confusing because it seems like the person might have been summoned by speaking their name.

• "Walk In The Park"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Sweden

  An idiom is a phrase that has a separate meaning than the individual words that make it up. An example of an idiom is “walk in the park.” This phrase means something is easy and doesn’t require much effort. However, this phrase can be confusing because to walk in a park normally requires effort.

• "White Elephant"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Canada, Denmark, Singapore, United States

  It’s defined as “a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of.” So pretty much every entertainment center for the massive tube TV you had in the late 90’s is a white elephant.

• "Woke Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Bolivia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Yemen

  The phrase “woke up on the wrong side of the bed” is an idiomatic expression which means that the person is angry or grumpy. It can be confusing because it’s not clear why someone would be upset just because they woke up.

• "You Can't Have Your Cake And Eat It Too"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Bahamas, Burkina Faso, Iceland

  The idiom “you can’t have your cake and eat it too” is confusing because it seems to say that you can’t have two separate things, which isn’t true. The phrase actually means that you can’t have the benefits of something without also accepting the drawbacks.

• "You're The Apple Of My Eye"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Indonesia

  The idiom “you’re the apple of my eye” means that the person is very special to the speaker. It can be confusing because apples are a type of fruit, and so people might not understand why someone would be called an apple.

• "Zip It"

  

  Countries Most Confused By This Saying: Ireland

  The idiom “zip it” is a term used to tell someone to stop talking. It can be confusing because… wait. Your lips don’t have zippers.