“I used to mix metaphors, but that ship has flown”

“I used to mix (up) metaphors, but that ship has flown” is a jocular combination of “that ship has sailed” and “that bird has flown.”
 
“I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown” was posted on X/Twitter by Q on March 17, 2016. “I used to mix up metaphors… but that ship has flown…” was posted on Facebook by Thomas Ramies on October 16, 2018. “I used to mix up metaphors, but now that ship has flown…” was posted on Facebook by Bret Ferguson on November 12, 2019.
 
   
X/Twitter
Q
@Qetello_M
I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown.
@Connecting_SA #CSAsurpriseMe
4:23 PM · Mar 17, 2016
 
X/Twitter
MeannMike™
@MeannMike
I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown.
11:48 AM · Apr 13, 2016
 
X/Twitter
#AlxVII
@DJohnnyLex
I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown.
9:32 AM · Apr 16, 2016
 
X/Twitter
Gruuv
@gruuvster2001
I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown.
7:21 AM · May 17, 2016
 
Facebook
Thomas Ramies
October 16, 2018 at 7:17 PM ·
I used to mix up metaphors… but that ship has flown…
 
Facebook
Bret Ferguson
September 3, 2019 at 10:41 PM ·
I used to mix up metaphors, but that ship has flown…
     
Facebook 
Bret Ferguson
November 12, 2019 at 9:55 AM ·
I used to mix up metaphors, but now that ship has flown…
 
X/Twitter
Paul Silverman
@aPaulled
I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown.
12:24 AM · Dec 5, 2021
 
Facebook
Steve Rogers
December 12, 2022 at 2:34 AM ·
I used to mix up metaphors, but now that ship has flown…
 
X/Twitter
Sarah Sizzle
@sizzle_sarah
I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown.
7:33 PM · Feb 14, 2025
 
Bluesky
Jimmer Cork-Bottle
‪@jimmerthatisall.bsky.social‬
I used to mix metaphors but that ship has flown.
February 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM