3. Nonviolent Language
North York Women Teachers’ Association
The following language guidelines appeared in a brochure written for elementary teachers in Ontario. The guidelines were reprinted in Harper’s magazine in February 1995.
| VIOLENT PHRASE | ALTERNATIVE |
| Kill two birds with one stone | Get two for the price of one |
| There’s more than one way to skin a cat | There are different ways to solve a problem |
| Take a stab at it | Go for it! |
| Get away with murder | Avoid consequences |
| It’s an uphill battle | It’s next to impossible |
| You’re dead meat | You’re in serious trouble |
| Kick it around | Consider the options |
| That’s a low blow | That’s outside the rules |
| Hit them where it hurts | Find their vulnerability |
| Crash the party | Show up anyway |
| Shoot yourself in the foot | Undermine your own position |
| Hit the computer key | Press the computer key |
| Blown out of the water | Reduced to nothing |