This "anti-idiom" is in the Python HOWTOs->Idioms and Anti-Idioms

The current title is "Using Backslash to Continue Statements"

However, using the line continuation character won't cause mysterious
problems in statements, but only in certain expressions, as the article
goes on to explain.

Moreover, the proposed solution of wrapping expressions in parentheses
is a syntax error in a statement, e.g.:

with (open(roster_path, 'r') as roster_file,
      open(disb_path, 'w') as out_file,
      open(report_path, 'w') as report_file):
File "C:\project\codxml.py", line 184
   with (open(roster_path, 'r') as roster_file,
                                   ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

I suggest that the title be changed to "Using Backslash to Continue
Expressions."

I'm sorry I don't know for sure when this HOWTO was first included in
the normal Python distribution.

As you write, the parentheses "trick" only works in expressions (what
you tried to wrap in your with statement is not an expression).

The backslash works for all kinds of statements however, so the
suggested change is wrong.

Yes, I know. That's why I feel it should not be labeled an anti-idiom,
as it currently seems to be.

Agreed.

In #10545, 'rurpy2' gives a similar critique of this section and suggests that it be improved or removed. I agree that it needs change and will try to think of what would be better.

I'll take that section out.

New changeset e34b09c69dd3 by Raymond Hettinger in branch 'default':
Issue #7391:  Remove outdated HOWTO with permission of its author.
http://hg.python.org/cpython/rev/e34b09c69dd3

I discussed this with Moshe today and he agreed that the document is out-of-date and should be removed.

New changeset 80ff78425419 by Raymond Hettinger in branch '3.2':
Issue 7391: Remove questionable and outdated HOWTO document with permission from its author.
http://hg.python.org/cpython/rev/80ff78425419

Several people have spoken in favour of this document and you are the only one who finds it useless, apparently (*). I think it should therefore be restored in the repository.

(*) see http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2011-March/109513.html

I also remember a discussion about updating this document with items from Code Like a Pythonista, so there’s value in restoring and updating it IMO.  It’s not hopeless like the defunct Misc/cheatsheet.

More links for the future update of doanddonts are under http://uthcode.sarovar.org/python.html#simple-is-better-than-complex