Using the word cliche

«That is such a cliché» is a sentence/statement used commonly in writing and speech. The word is basically used to denote an oft-repeated phrase or expression. There are several hundred phrases that could be referred to as cliché in a sentence.

To properly use the word «cliché» in a sentence, make sure the phrase being used in the sentence is oft-repeated. Also, the word «cliche» should be referring to something hackneyed – which could be an overly commonplace or familiar phrase, expression, or theme.

Keep reading to learn the meaning and origin of the word «cliché», sentences using the word, phrases that are commonly referred to as cliche, etc.

Cliché: Definition

The word «cliché» denotes a phrase or expression that has been overemphasized in literature or used to the extent of diluting its effect. The terms, ideas, or phrases now considered cliché could have been thought-provoking and striking at the time of their inception. The cliche term or phrase could also lead to feelings of irritation or annoyance in the reader.

In modern culture, the term «cliché» is invariably used to denote a predictable or expected occurrence. It can be used both as a noun or as an adjective. When used as an adjective, the word may end with the letter «d», as in «cliched». However, there are multiple discussions and debates online over whether cliché should end with «d» as it is a French word.

French words don’t end with «-ed». It’s, therefore, assumed «cliché» can also be used as an adjective. Not to mention, there’s little to no difference in the actual meaning of the word when it’s used either way.

The Origin of the Word

As mentioned above, «cliché» has French roots, which explains why there is an accent above the letter «e». The word could also be written without the accent.

During the age of the printing presses, the cast iron used to reproduce the words, images, or phrases was referred to as a stereotype. The noise the casting plate made was called «clicher», which means «to click» in French. The word eventually became the jargon to denote the stereotype.

Phrases Considered to Be «Cliches»

A cliché could be a saying; or something that denotes or describes a time, people, life, emotions, love, etc. The following are some extremely popular cliches:

• All that glitters is not gold
• His tail is between his legs
• They lived happily together
• Reading between the lines
• Only time would tell
• Lasted an eternity
• An utter waste of time
• In a jiffy
• At lightning speed
• Had steel nerves
• Ugly as sin
• Opposites attract
• There is a silver lining to every cloud
• The calm prior to the storm
• Frightened to death
• Haste makes waste
• Time is the best healer
• Gut-wrenching pain

Kindly note, not every cliché is true or applies to everybody. Some could be subject to interpretation. For example, «With experience comes wisdom» is a cliché that may not be applicable to all. Also, not everyone agrees with this cliché, «It’s better to love and lose than having never loved at all.»

Not all overused words or phrases are «cliché». It’s imperative to be wary of this rule before referring to any phrase in a sentence as «cliché». At the same time, just because a phrase or term is considered cliché, it doesn’t indicate it’s false. The word can be used in sentences spanning varied contexts and references.

Most cliche phrases have obvious meanings. However, there could be several other oft-repeated phrases (included or not included in the list above) whose meanings become clear only if the context is known. The phrase «made of money», for instance, could mean completely different things based on the sentence it is a part of.

In this sentence, «Do you think I am made of money?», the «made of money» phrase denotes the speaker has no money at all. In this sentence, however, «It feels like I am made of money», the words imply the subject has money by the boatloads.

Long story short, to fully understand the usage of the word «cliché» in a sentence or what it directs at, you should read the sentence with the cliché word or phrase, or be conversing with the speaker directly. Not to mention, all of these aspects have to be considered before incorporating a phrase in a sentence and referring to it as «cliché» in the same sentence.

Do Not Overuse Cliches

For a cliché phrase or the word «cliché» to produce its desired effect, it’s imperative to use it sparingly. The immediate impression the reader has when they come across far too many cliché words or phrases or the repeated usage of the word «cliché» in subsequent sentences or even the same sentence is the author’s unoriginal thought-process.

If a popular cliché pops up in your mind during writing, but you don’t want to risk coming across as trite, give the phrase your own twist or come up with something fresh altogether. That would bring down the need to openly refer to the phrase as «cliché».

Examples of the Word «Cliché» Used in Sentences

Here is a list of sentences that use the word «cliché»:

• I know it sounds cliche, but I feel secure in your arms.
• Whether you like it or otherwise, this cliché is true: You do not get another chance to create the right first impression.
• The three-tiered white wedding cake is common to the point of being considered cliché.
• Soon-to-wed couples should opt for a costume design that goes with the theme of their wedding and doesn’t add any unnecessary cliché.
• While it’s a cliché to say to be born with silver spoons, the kid truly was that rich.
• The «love is blind» cliché truly applies to certain relationships.
• Generally, people think of cliché styles such as birthstones when shopping for grandmother or mother jewelry designs.
• While the immediate family of the deceased doesn’t find cliché lines such as «God loved him more than you and, therefore, took him away from you» comforting, such religious poetry is typically received well by mourners.
• Ice cream and pickles are cliché food cravings for invariably every pregnant woman.
• As cliché as it may sound, girls get attracted to bad boys more than the good ones.
• To make your Valentine’s Day celebrations truly memorable, make sure you avoid cliché gifts and celebrations as that could lack individuality and spontaneity.
• Some people view the commercialization of weddings and engagements as propagating a cliché lifestyle and living up to societal expectations and not a truly romantic event.
• If you want to catch her off guard, do anything but the cliché dinner table proposal.
• Most engagement proposal tips revolve around cliché accessories, such as a candlelit dinner, red roses, or a bottle of champagne.
• Though it could seem slightly cliché now, tattoos of ships were once commonly sported by many sailors on their backs and chests.
• Teenagers could be finicky; however, a clever theme could bring together buddies for some fun that isn’t cliché or too structured.
• Some of the characters and dialogues in the movie are cliché.
• That is such a cliché.

Difference Between Cliches and Idioms

Cliches and idioms may seem or read the same, but there are certain differences between them.

Idioms basically are figurative phrases with implied meanings; the phrases mustn’t be taken literally. For example, the phrase «bite the bullet» means to accept a thing because it’s inevitable. It doesn’t mean to actually bite a bullet with your teeth. Cliches are invariably idioms, which makes translating cliches into another language difficult as people from varied cultures may not be able to get the correct meaning.

Idioms can be transparent or opaque. When an opaque idiom is translated into another language, they usually do not make any sense as the literal meaning of the phrase has little to no link with the meaning intended. For example, «bag of bones» is an opaque idiom that means someone is extremely underweight. The implied meaning has nothing to do with bags or bones.

A transparent idiom, on the other hand, exhibits a similarity between the intended and literal meaning. For instance, the expression, «beating around the bush» originated from game hunting in the UK. It could be applied in scenarios where someone is circling a point and not clearly saying what really happened.

If a certain idiom gets used too often, it risks turning into a cliché. The phrases «raining cats and dogs», «beauty is skin-deep», etc. are idioms that have become cliché. Having said that, not every cliché is an idiom, and not every idiom is a cliché.

Perhaps, the biggest difference between a cliché and an idiom is that the word «cliché» gets used in a sentence a lot more often than «idiom».

Conclusion

Cliches could be dry and on point or open to interpretation. Using the word «cliché» in the same sentence helps ascertain whether a sentence has a cliché phrase to start with. It otherwise becomes open to finding out if a sentence has employed cliché phrases. Also, over a period, you could interpret certain cliches differently, reject their meanings or come to accept them, and/or maybe even make cliché phrases or statements of your own.

Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

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Cliché sentence example

It is very easy to cross the boundary into cliche. Many sayings are trite or cliche, but don’t avoid them solely for that reason. It never veers too far in any direction or falls back on cliche. Dark spooky castles haunted by ghosts — what could be more of a cliche?

Where do we use cliche?

Clichés can be used to explain beginning level concepts. For example, a how-to guide for expectant mothers might use the phrase “Remember, you’re eating for two!” For characterization. Writers might have a character use clichés to demonstrate that they are not an original thinker.

What is an example of a cliche?

A cliché is a phrase or idea that has become a “universal” device to describe abstract concepts such as time (Better Late Than Never), anger (madder than a wet hen), love (love is blind), and even hope (Tomorrow is Another Day).

Why is cliche used?

Clichés are important because they express ideas and thoughts that are widespread and common within a culture, hence the phrase “cliché but true.” Yet in our culture, we tend to dislike clichés because we place a high value on creativity, originality, and cleverness, rather than on repetition and using other people’s …

What does it mean to cliche?

1 : a trite phrase or expression also : the idea expressed by it. 2 : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation. 3 : something (such as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace.

35 related questions found

клише, штамп, избитая фраза, пластинка стереотипа

существительное

- полигр. клише (печатная форма для воспроизведения иллюстраций); пластинка стереотипа; штамп; избитая фраза
- клише, шаблонная фраза, избитое выражение, речевой штамп

Словосочетания

a speech filled with clichés about “finding your way” and “keeping the faith” — речь, полная избитых фраз о “нахождении своего пути” и “сохранении веры”  
cliche’d cliched thought — шаблонная мысль; банальность  
cliche’d — стереотипный; банальный; избитый  
cliche frame — рамка многопозиционной легкосменяемой модельной плиты  
cliche pattern plate — многопозиционная модельная плита     
cliche pattern plate    — многопозиционная модельная плита  

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A cliché ( or ) is an element of an artistic work, saying, or idea that has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, even to the point of being weird or irritating, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel.^[1] In phraseology, the term has taken on a more technical meaning, referring to an expression imposed by conventionalized linguistic usage.^[2]

The term is often used in modern culture for an action or idea that is expected or predictable, based on a prior event. Typically pejorative, «clichés» may or may not be true.^[3] Some are stereotypes, but some are simply truisms and facts.^[4] Clichés often are employed for comedic effect, typically in fiction.

Most phrases now considered clichéd originally were regarded as striking but have lost their force through overuse.^[5] The French poet Gérard de Nerval once said, «The first man who compared woman to a rose was a poet, the second, an imbecile.»^[6]

A cliché is often a vivid depiction of an abstraction that relies upon analogy or exaggeration for effect, often drawn from everyday experience.^[7][8] Used sparingly, it may succeed, but the use of a cliché in writing, speech, or argument is generally considered a mark of inexperience or a lack of originality.

Etymology[edit]

The word cliché is borrowed from French, where it is a past passive participle of clicher, ‘to click’, used as a noun; cliché is attested from 1825 and originated in the printing trades.^[9] The term cliché was adopted as printers’ jargon to refer to a stereotype, electrotype, cast plate or block print that could reproduce type or images repeatedly.^[10][9] It has been suggested that the word originated from the clicking sound in «dabbed» printing (a particular form of stereotyping in which the block was impressed into a bath of molten type-metal to form a matrix). Through this onomatopoeia, cliché came to mean a ready-made, oft-repeated phrase.^[11]

Usage[edit]

Various dictionaries recognize a derived adjective clichéd, with the same meaning.^{[13][14][15][16]} Cliché is sometimes used as an adjective,^[14][15] although some dictionaries do not recognize it as such,^[13][16] listing the word only as a noun and clichéd as the adjective.

Thought-terminating cliché[edit]

Thought-terminating clichés, also known as thought-stoppers,^[17] or semantic stopsigns,^[18] are words or phrases that discourage critical thought and meaningful discussion about a given topic.^[19] They are typically short, generic truisms that offer seemingly simple answers to complex questions or that distract attention away from other lines of thought.^[19] They are often sayings that have been embedded in a culture’s folk wisdom and are tempting to say because they sound true or good or like the right thing to say.^[17] Some examples are: «Stop thinking so much»,^[20] «here we go again»,^[21] and «so what, what effect do my [individual] actions have?»^[17]

The term was popularized by psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton in his 1961 book, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of «Brainwashing» in China.^[19] Lifton wrote, «The language of the totalist environment is characterized by the thought-terminating cliché. The most far-reaching and complex of human problems are compressed into brief, highly reductive, definitive-sounding phrases, easily memorized and easily expressed. These become the start and finish of any ideological analysis».^[22] Sometimes they are used in a deliberate attempt to shut down debate, manipulate others to think a certain way, or dismiss dissent. However, some people repeat them, even to themselves, out of habit or conditioning, or as a defense mechanism to reaffirm a confirmation bias.^[17][23]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• Anton C. Zijderveld (1979). On Clichés: The Supersedure of Meaning by Function in Modernity. Routledge. ISBN 9780710001863.
• Margery Sabin (1987). «The Life of English Idiom, the Laws of French Cliché». The Dialect of the Tribe. Oxford University Press US. pp. 10–25. ISBN 9780195041538.
• Veronique Traverso and Denise Pessah (Summer 2000). «Stereotypes et cliches: Langue, discours, societe». Poetics Today. Duke University Press. 21 (3): 463–465. doi:10.1215/03335372-21-2-463. S2CID 170839666.
• Skorczewski, Dawn (December 2000). ««Everybody Has Their Own Ideas»: Responding to Cliche in Student Writing». College Composition and Communication. 52 (2): 220–239. doi:10.2307/358494. JSTOR 358494.
• Ruth Amossy; Lyons (1982). Trans. Terese Lyons. «The Cliché in the Reading Process. Trans. Terese Lyons». SubStance. University of Wisconsin Press. 11 (2.35): 34–45. doi:10.2307/3684023. JSTOR 3684023.
• Sullivan, Frank (1947) [1938]. «The Cliche Expert Testifies as a Roosevelt Hater». In Crane, Milton (ed.). The Roosevelt Era. New York: Boni and Gaer. pp. 237–242. OCLC 275967. Mr. Arbuthnot: No sir! Nobody is going to tell me how to run my business. Q: Mr. Arbuthnot, you sound like a Roosevelt hater. A: I certainly am. Q: In that case, perhaps you could give us an idea of some of the cliches your set is in the habit of using in speaking of Mr. Roosevelt …

Definition of Cliché

A cliché is an expression that is trite, worn-out, and overused. As a result, clichés have lost their original vitality, freshness, and significance in expressing meaning. A cliché is a phrase or idea that has become a “universal” device to describe abstract concepts such as time (Better Late Than Never), anger (madder than a wet hen), love (love is blind), and even hope (Tomorrow is Another Day). However, such expressions are too commonplace and unoriginal to leave any significant impression.

Of course, any expression that has become a cliché was original and innovative at one time. However, overuse of such an expression results in a loss of novelty, significance, and even original meaning. For example, the proverbial phrase “when it rains it pours” indicates the idea that difficult or inconvenient circumstances closely follow each other or take place all at the same time. This phrase originally referred to a weather pattern in which a dry spell would be followed by heavy, prolonged rain. However, the original meaning is distanced from the overuse of the phrase, making it a cliché.

Common Examples of Cliché in Everyday Speech

People tend to use clichés in social settings to convey something that is broadly understood at a basic level, as a means of filling conversational time, or perhaps when nothing better comes to mind. Though cliché is utilized often in everyday communication as somewhat of a linguistic crutch, there is a risk that the phrase may be unknown and therefore meaningless to the listener. Therefore, it’s best to use clear and original wording to avoid confusion.

Here are some common examples of clichés in everyday speech:

• Even though she is 80 years old, she’s still sharp as a tack.
• Her advice is to live and let live.
• My father always says that it’s another day, another dollar.
• My dog is dumb as a doorknob.
• He’s so unmotivated that he’s just sitting like a bump on a log.
• If you hide the toy it will be out of sight, out of mind.
• I’m upset about my flat tire, but I guess it is what it is.
• Before the teacher could assign homework, the class was saved by the bell.
• The little boy has to learn that you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
• I’d ask what’s wrong, but I don’t want to open that can of worms.
• The laundry came out as fresh as a daisy.
• My boyfriend says that Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder.
• Even though he didn’t like the gift, it’s the thought that counts.
• My coach told us that there’s no “i” in team.
• When I asked about the next step, my teacher said that we’ll Cross that bridge when we get to it.

Examples of Movie Lines that Have Become Cliché

A movie line can catch on and be repeated so often that it becomes a cliché. In fact, cliché movie lines can be so pervasive and overused that many people may recognize the line without having seen or heard of the movie. Here are some examples of movie lines that have, unfortunately, become cliché:

• If you build it, they will come. (Field of Dreams)
• I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse. (The Godfather)
• Luke, I am your father. (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back)
• i am Groot. (Guardians of the Galaxy)
• She doesn’t even go here! (Mean Girls)
• I’ll be back. (The Terminator)
• Houston, we have a problem. (Apollo 13)
• That’s no moon; it’s a space station. (Star Wars: A New Hope)
• Just keep swimming. (Finding Nemo)
• I mean, I told you not to go in that house. (Get Out)

Famous Examples of Cliché in Creative Writing

Sometimes writers rely on a cliché if they are uncertain how to begin or end a creative piece. Unfortunately, this can be a tedious and unsatisfying experience for the reader, unless the reader is a child or the story is a rehearsed fairy tale. Relying on cliché in creative writing, sadly, reveals the limited originality of the writer and undermines their power of expression.

Here are some famous examples of clichés in creative writing:

• It was a dark and stormy night
• Once upon a time
• There I was
• In a faraway land
• It was all a dream
• The ends justify the means
• All’s well that ends well
• They lived happily ever after

Writing Cliché

Though it’s advisable for writers in nearly all situations to avoid using cliché in their work, occasionally there are exceptions. For example, incorporating a cliché that is associated with a certain time period, region, product, or group of people might be helpful rather than directly explaining or describing them. This can also form a connection with certain readers. A writer may decide to use “the Big Apple” once rather than directly saying or repeating New York City. However, the use of cliché as a device in this instance should be as sparing as possible.

Another exception for writing clichés may be to demonstrate how a character is unoriginal, unimaginative, or even something like a “fast talker.” For example, when creating a used car salesman character, a writer may include several clichés in his speech to establish a pattern of expression and certain, limiting character traits as well. Once again, it’s essential that writers carefully consider whether using a cliché truly benefits the work and the reader’s experience.

Shakespeare and Cliches

Although it is uncertain whether cliches existed at the time of Shakespeare or whether he used cliches in his plays and poems, it is certain that several phrases that are now in common usage were first used by Shakespeare. They have become so much as a trite and commonplace that it seldom seems that Shakespeare coined them. For example, lie low was first used in his play, Much Ado About Nothing, and the milk of human kindness was used in Macbeth. Some other popular cliches of Shakespeare are given below.

1. Lay it on with a trowel” from the play As You Like It
2. “There is nothing either good or bad” from Hamlet
3. “Mum’s the word” from Henry VI
4. “To be or not to be?” from Hamlet
5. “Go to a nunnery” from Hamlet

Cliches and Archetypes, Tropes and Idioms

Cliches and archetypes are different from each other in that a cliché is a phrase or a sentence, while an archetype is a character or a thing that fits into human shoes as a model. On the other hand, a trope is a literary word that encompasses many shades of meanings and is often a subject of controversy such as survivance has become a trope in American Indian writings. On the other hand, an idiom is a specific phrase that has attained meanings different from its original words due to constant usage. Although some idioms may have meanings similar to their words, some are entirely different.

Two Major Type of Cliches: Thought Terminating Cliches and Platitude

A thought-terminating cliché is also called a semantic stop-sign, a bumper sticker logic, or a cliché thinking. It is used to justify some logical fallacy or fallacious logic to stop the argument there and then to avoid controversy or senseless debate. However, platitude is an over-used statement that could be used as a thought-terminating cliché or not, depending on the context. It could be true but the only difference is that it might have lost its worth due to its triteness.

Use of Cliché in Sentences

1. I won’t tell you everything to waste my time – just read between the lines, dude!
2. Lenny almost dropped the egg basket but she saved it in the nick of time.
3. ‘You look as weak as a kitten! You need to eat good food, darling.’ said Chris’ mother.
4. If you snitch on Joseph to his mother, you are going to open a whole new can of worms.
5. Hannah lost track of time while reading until she heard her parents calling for dinner.

 Examples of Cliché in Literature

In literary works, the presence of clichés can be tedious, tiresome, and even annoying for readers. Even worse, they generally reflect poorly on the writer and make them appear unoriginal, without imagination, lazy, or unskilled. Since clichés are also and often a reflection of culture or language, their meaning may be lost on readers that are unfamiliar with the phrase. In addition, outdated clichés or ones that have been repeated innumerable times will appear archaic and irrelevant to readers.

However, occasionally a literary work will reference a cliché or its use as a device in a humorous, satirical, or innovative way. When done effectively, this showcases a writer’s literary talent. Here are some examples of clichés in literature:

Example 1: An Essay on Criticism by Alexander Pope

 Where’er you find “the cooling, western breeze,”
In the next line, it “whispers through the trees”;
If crystal streams “with pleasing murmers creep,”
The reader’s threatened (not in vain) with “sleep.”

In Pope’s verse, he satirizes the predictability of clichés in “poetic” descriptions of nature by presenting them to the reader at the end of each line in the order he anticipates them to appear. Pope’s final line warns of the effect such clichés have on the reader, which in this case is putting them to sleep. In fact, the declaration of the reader being “threatened” with sleep creates an image of death as if the predictability of a writer’s clichés has the metaphorical power of killing the reader with boredom.

In his clever and satirical use of clichés in his own writing, Pope upends their intended poetic power by warning writers of a cliché’s power for losing readers. This warning applies to readers as well in that Pope is validating their boredom of trite and meaningless phrases.

Example 2: Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

IT WASN’T A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. It should have been, but that’s the weather for you. For every mad scientist who’s had a convenient thunderstorm just on the night his Great Work is finished and lying on the slab, there have been dozens who’ve sat around aimlessly under the peaceful stars while Igor clocks up the overtime.

In their novel, Pratchett and Gaiman use the “opposite” of a writing cliché that turns it into a humorous, interesting, and original statement. Rather than create a setting of a dark and stormy night, the passage sets forth directly that it “wasn’t” so. This causes the reader to take notice and sets the tone for subsequent inversions of literary tropes, such as the creation of Frankenstein’s monster.

By subverting the reader’s expectations with anti-clichés, Pratchett and Gaiman’s literary work reflects a deeper level of meaning and creative level of writing. These authors acknowledge the writing and works that precede theirs that have, unfortunately, become cliché while simultaneously setting their literary work apart from others as an original experience for the reader.

Example 3: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County. But it was a time of vague optimism for some of the people: Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself.

In this passage from the novel, the narrator Scout is reminiscing about the story’s setting–both in time and place. Through Scout, Lee alludes to a quote about fear from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 inaugural address, establishing the time period of the novel’s events. Lee’s allusion is also clever in establishing how that phrase has become a cliché for readers of the novel as well as an adult Scout in remembering the story.

As an overused “catch” phrase from Depression-era America, “nothing to fear but fear itself” has become meaningless and archaic for Lee’s contemporary readers. The phrase holds little meaning and relevance for Scout as an adult as well, as she indicates that even the effect at the time was only one of “vague” optimism. By incorporating this cliché within the setting of the novel, Lee calls the reader’s attention not only to its limited significance decades later, but its hollow and empty meaning shortly after it was originally stated.

Synonyms of Cliché

The following words are distant synonyms of Cliché: platitude, banality, truism, trite phrase, banal phrase, bromide, maxim, saw, adage, dictum, aphorism, phrase, hackneyed phrase, and tag. However, they are not exact substitutes, for every word has its connotations and nuances.

Have you ever come across words or phrases that are overused to the point that they irk you whenever someone uses them? Well, you are not alone. In English language, such overused words are called clichés.

Using them in your writing is, of course, unoriginal. It shows you didn’t take the time to think before writing so your writing drives on a horse back instead of a turbojet.

Want to learn how to avoid using clichés and the rest of the good stuff? Let’s get to it.

What is a cliché?

A cliché is an overused phrase or reference that has lost its impact after having been used commonly. Once meaningful – even impressive – the overuse makes these phrases irritating for the readers.

You could say clichés are like stale bread that’s caught mold. When baked fresh, the bread loaf has high demand. Over time, with its freshness gone, the loaf loses its demand and is no longer desirable.

Clichés are the same – they squeeze out freshness from your writing, leaving it dull and undesirable.

Cliché pronunciation, synonyms, and origin

Now that you have the definition of cliché, let’s move to its pronounciation, synonyms, and etymology.

Essentially, the word cliché has French roots. Hence, the accented ‘é’ in the word. In English, therefore, you can write a cliché as cliche. But, since, cliché sounds more stylish and because, I’m a creature of habit (cliché, you caught me!), we’ll stick to the use of cliché in the piece.

Going back to the word’s origin, we’ve an interesting story that goes back to the use of cast iron plates used in printing presses.

When in action, the cast iron plate that reproduced images, words, and phrases was referred to as stereotype plate. At work, these plates created a sound that played like ‘cliché.’ Hence, the word cliché came to be from the repeat sound.

Looking at the literal meaning, cliché is the past participle of clicher in French, which means an often repeated phrase.

Moving on, thanks to its French origin, the é in cliché lends the pronunciation of ‘ay.’ Put together, the word is: klee-shay/kliˈʃeɪ.  

As for the cliché synonym, we’ve three words, platitude, truism, and banality. But, cliché is a pretty prominent word in itself, requiring no synonyms, really.

Cliché examples

With cliché meaning out of the way, let’s look at some common cliché examples:

Note that you’d already be familiar with these phrases. ‘Happily ever after,’ for example, holds a lot of meaning in a child’s world. Fast forward to their teenage years and they’ve heard this cliché so many times they’d be ready to tear up the book that ends with it.

 Similarly, all that ‘glitters isn’t always gold’ used to be my favorite. In fact, it was a rule I lived by (you know, so I don’t get attracted to the chocolate aisle), but I have to make do without using it in my writing.

What does cliché mean to a writer?

In one word: unoriginal.

To add a few more words to explain how clichés are treated in writing: unimaginative, dull, uninteresting, and stale – yes, that word again (because clichés are stale by nature).

Now, if you are an aspiring creative writer, you’d know these aren’t the words you’d want your writing to be associated with it. 

Even if you aren’t a creative writing aspirant, you wouldn’t want to be in the company of clichés. Why? Because, you’d want your writing to sound less boring and more ‘you.’

So, either way, you’d want to steer clear from clichés. If need be, however, you can always add a cliché or two. It’s best to use them with caution though.

Here’s more on the effects of clichés in writing, explaining why you should avoid them:

Good writing has a charming personality to it. And, like any charming personality, it attracts readers – leaving an amazing impression.

Naturally, whether it’s an internship application or an email to your professor, you’d want to leave a good impression. You know what that means, right? No clichés.

Since clichés are overused, their presence indicates you haven’t taken the time to think before writing something. It’s how you get tagged ‘unoriginal.’

Of course, if your writing isn’t showing original thoughts, you’ll come across as lazy. That’s not good news, fellas. 😬

A writer’s dream is to have a distinctive voice. Even if you aren’t aiming all that high, it helps to let your voice slip into your writing. This way, you’d sound a little less boring and a whole lot smart.

Not sure if a cliché or two has slipped into your writing? The next section will help you.

How to find clichés in your writing?

These seven tips will help you go all Sherlock Holmes on common clichés in your writing:

1. Read your draft out loud

After having written your draft and given it some breathing room before returning to edit it, start with a general look-out-for-clichés read.

If there’s a cliché, you’ll probably read the sentence on your own (from memory) rather than from the paper.

2. Get some help

Ask a friend or colleague to listen to you as you read your draft out loud. If there’s a sentence that they can complete before you finish reading it, you’ve used a cliché.

Why? Because clichés are predictable and their overuse means your friend can guess the rest of the sentence.

3. Reread to identify generality

Instead of generalization, aim for specificity. This stands true for all sorts of writing – descriptive, persuasive, argumentative, and so on.

Hence, once you’ve written your first draft, go back to it to read it sentence by sentence. Sniff out any general details. Then, go and replace them with specific details.

Example:

4. Ask yourself: can someone else write the same thing

Be honest when you do this exercise. If there’s a sentence someone else can write, you’re probably using a cliché to frame your thoughts. 

Either way, going into details instead of relying on clichés will help. For descriptive writers, for instance, use unique description in place of common similes and metaphors.

For persuasive writing, back arguments with specific points. If you’re sharing experience, is it unique to you?

5. Find out if you’re using a metaphor

Overused metaphors often become clichés. So a good way to identify whether you’re using a cliché is to look for metaphors in your writing.

Metaphors make comparisons between ideas, concepts, and settings – comparing one to another either directly or indirectly (using implied meaning). So if there’s a comparison in your writing, it’s a metaphor. And, if it’s a metaphor, check if it’s an overused one to hunt down a cliché.

6. Keep special check on introductions and conclusions

Use of cliché is common in these two sections, so keep an eye out for them (and a thesaurus close for rewriting words and phrases). 

Some clichés that slip into these sections are:

• Throughout history
• In a nutshell
• Since the beginning of

7. Keep a list of common clichés with you

Refer to it when you review your writing. We’ve a list of common clichés for you below. 

So the tips worked and now you’re staring at a bag of clichés to get rid of. What now? Don’t panic.

Clichés are common in every writer’s first draft. But, once you’ve caught them, take the time to think exactly what you want to write, then rewrite the sentence. This can take a bit of rewriting and that’s okay as it can help you get out of the old cliche trap.

List of common clichés

As we wrap this, let’s leave you with some clichéd phrases:

cliche — перевод на русский

/ˈkliːʃeɪ/

Показать ещё примеры для «клише»…

Показать ещё примеры для «банально»…

Показать ещё примеры для «избито»…

Показать ещё примеры для «стереотип»…

Показать ещё примеры для «типично»…

Показать ещё примеры для «шаблонно»…

Cliché definition: A cliché is an expression that has been overused to the point in which it has lost its impact.

Clichés originated as wise metaphors; however, through overuse and misuse they have lost their original impact.

Examples of Clichés

Using the phrase “under the weather” is a popular cliché that indicates when a person is feeling ill.

People often use the cliché “don’t push my buttons” when they are warning people against intentionally aggravating them.

Modern Examples of Clichés

Here are some additional examples of clichés that people might use in everyday conversation:

• “been there, done that” = cliché that refers to someone’s boredom with an activity or situation
• “get a grip” = cliché that means for someone to get a hold on the situation when they are loosing their calmness
• “time heals all wounds” = cliché used when trying to encourage someone that their grieving will eventually end.
• “I lost track of time” = a cliché expression used to explain a person’s tardiness
• “keep in touch” = cliché used to encourage someone to continue contact
• “at the speed of light” = used to describe someone’s fast speed

The Function of Clichés

Clichés function socially in a sense that they are widely understood; however, they do not achieve a sincere effect on the audience. These phrases have lost their meaning through overuse; therefore, they do not profoundly impact the audience.

For example, if a woman lost her spouse and a friend told her that “time heals all wounds” the widow would not feel comfort due to the cliché rather than genuine advice. While clichés should be avoided in situations where being genuine is important, there are times when they are appropriate.

For example, in children’s stories the cliché of “happily ever after,” is often used at the end of a fairy tale. This use of clichés allows for the young audience to easily understand and make connections to other fairy tales.

Examples of Clichés in Literature

In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the line “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” has become cliché through overuse. A once poetic statement regarding the trivialness of names has now become a meaningless love phrase.

In George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, the phrase “Big Brother is watching you” has become an example of cliché. A once profound statement regarding excessive government control has now become a phrase used to describe any situation involving privacy invasion.

In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the phrase “to be or not to be that is the question” has now become a cliché phrase. A once profoundly philosophical internal dialogue has now become a meaningless phrase that people use often out of context.

Summary: What are Clichés?

Define cliché: Clichés are statements that once held profound meaning and impact but through misuse and overuse have lost these effects.

Final Example:

The phrase “there is method in his madness” is a clichéd statement that originates from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This cliché was derived from Polonius’ line, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t.”

This profound line originally had great impact to describe Hamlet’s strange philosophies, but it has been used so much that it has lost its meaning.

Contents

• 1 What is a Cliché in Literature?
• 2 Examples of Clichés
• 3 Modern Examples of Clichés
• 4 The Function of Clichés
• 5 Examples of Clichés in Literature
• 6 Summary: What are Clichés?