What is a Cliché?
A cliché is a phrase or expression that has been used so often that it has lost its original meaning and impact. Clichés are often seen as lazy writing, lacking creativity and originality. They can also be annoying to readers, who may feel like they’re being spoon-fed tired old phrases.
Why Are Clichés Used?
There are several reasons why writers may use clichés.
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They are easy to remember. Clichés are often familiar phrases that are easy to recall and use in writing. This can be helpful for writers who are under pressure to produce content quickly.
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They can be effective. Sometimes, a cliché can be the best way to convey a particular idea or feeling. This is especially true when the writer is using the cliché in a way that is fresh and unexpected.
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They can be comforting. Clichés can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity to readers. This is especially true for readers who are not native English speakers or who are new to a particular topic.
When to Avoid Clichés
While clichés can be useful in some situations, there are times when it is best to avoid them.
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When you are trying to be original. If you want your writing to stand out, it is important to avoid using clichés. This does not mean that you should never use a cliché, but you should use them sparingly and only when they are necessary.
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When you are writing for a sophisticated audience. Clichés can be annoying to readers who are familiar with the English language and who are looking for something new and original. If you are writing for a sophisticated audience, it is best to avoid using clichés altogether.
How to Avoid Clichés
If you want to avoid using clichés in your writing, there are a few things you can do.
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Read widely. The best way to avoid using clichés is to read widely. When you read, pay attention to the language that authors use. Notice how they avoid using clichés and how they come up with fresh and original ways to express themselves.
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Be creative. When you are writing, don’t be afraid to experiment with language. Try using different words and phrases to express your ideas. You may be surprised at how much more creative you can be when you’re not relying on clichés.
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Get feedback. If you’re not sure whether or not your writing is clichéd, ask someone else to read it. They can give you feedback on whether or not you’re using clichés and how you can improve your writing.
Examples of Clichés
Here are some examples of common clichés:
- As old as the hills
- Beat around the bush
- Bite the bullet
- Break a leg
- Call it a day
- Change of heart
- Clear as mud
- Cost an arm and a leg
- Cross your fingers
- Cut to the chase
- Dead as a doornail
- Down to the wire
- Easier said than done
- Elephant in the room
- Face the music
- Fall between the cracks
- Few and far between
- First-world problem
- For all intents and purposes
- For the birds
- Get a grip
- Get your act together
- Give it your all
- Go the extra mile
- Good riddance
- Green with envy
- Hardly working
- Have a ball
- Have your cake and eat it too
- Hit the nail on the head
- Hold your horses
- I could care less
- In a nutshell
- In the nick of time
- It is what it is
- Jump on the bandwagon
- Keep your chin up
- Kick the bucket
- Last but not least
- Let the cat out of the bag
- Lie through your teeth
- Like a fish out of water
- Live and learn
- Long story short
- Make a long story short
- Make hay while the sun shines
- Make matters worse
- Miss the boat
- More than meets the eye
- Need a minute
- Needle in a haystack
- Never judge a book by its cover
- No pain, no gain
- Not rocket science
- Off the hook
- On the ball
- On the fence
- Once in a blue moon
- One foot in the grave
- Out of the blue
- Over the moon
- Pain in the neck
- Piece of cake
- Play it by ear
- Pull the plug
- Put a damper on things
- Put all your eggs in one basket
- Raining cats and dogs
- Read between the lines
- Right under your nose
- Roll up your sleeves
- Rule of thumb
- Save the day
- See eye to eye
- Sell like hotcakes
- Set in stone
- Shoot the breeze
- Show your true colors
- Sink or swim
- Sleep on it
- Small world
- Speak of the devil
- Spill the beans
- Spit and polish
- Square one
- Stand tall
- Stay the course
- Steal the show
- Stop and smell the roses
- Straight from the horse’s mouth
- Take a back seat
- Take it easy
- Take the bull by the horns
- Talk the talk, walk the walk
- That’s all, folks!
- The best of both worlds
- The cat’s out of the bag
- The cream of the crop
- The devil is in the details
- The early bird gets the worm
- The exception proves the rule
- The grass is always greener on the other side
- The jury is still out
- The last straw
- The long and short of it
- The plot thickens
- The powers that be
- The rest is history
- The squeaky wheel gets the grease
- The stars were aligned
- The truth will set you free
- There’s no place like home
- There’s nothing new under the sun
- Think outside the box
- This is the way
- Time flies when you’re having fun
- Time heals all wounds
- To err is human
- Too many cooks spoil the broth
- Truth is stranger than fiction
- Turn a blind eye
- Under the weather
- Up in the air
- Use your noodle
- Wait and see
- Walk a mile in my shoes
- We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it
- What goes around, comes around
- When hell freezes over
- When pigs fly
- Where there’s a will, there’s a way
- While the cat’s away, the mice will play
- You can’t judge a book by its cover
- You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs
- You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
- You get what you pay for
- **You snooze, you lose