Please state in which country your phrase tends to be used, what the phrase is, and what it should be.
Example:
In America, recently came across “back-petal”, instead of back-pedal. Also, still hearing “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes”.
“per se” (US) - people generally use it as “exactly” or “specifically”, e g. “It’s not circular, per se, more like a rounded rectangle”. However, it actually means “in and of itself”. I have a coworker that misuses this one constantly (and also spells it incorrectly) and it’s become a huge pet peeve.
Because of South Park, I occasionally end sentences with that phrase, per se.
Huh TIL I’ve been using per se wrong. Thanks stranger!