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Extract from a cartoon by Priestman Atkinson, from the Punch Almanack for 1885, mocking clichéd expressions in the popular literature at the time

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]

Using a feature such as an overhanging branch to frame a nature scene^[12] may be described as a visual cliché even though it also supplies scale.

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]

References[edit]

^ Gary Blake and Robert W. Bly, The Elements of Technical Writing, pg. 85. New York: Macmillan Publishers, 1993. ISBN 0020130856
^ «Cliché — Examples and Definition of Cliché as a writing device». Literary Devices. 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
^ Short Story Library Thick skin and writing, cliché, but true Archived 2010-02-26 at the Wayback Machine — Published By Casey Quinn • May 10th, 2009 • Category: Casey’s Corner
^ The Free Dictionary — Cliche
^ Mason, David; Nims, John Frederick (1999). Western Wind: An Introduction to Poetry. McGraw-Hill. pp. 126–127. ISBN 0-07-303180-1.
^ Quotations of Gérard de Nerval
^ Loewen, Nancy (2011). Talking Turkey and Other Clichés We Say. Capstone. p. 11. ISBN 978-1404862722.
^ «Definition of Cliché». Retrieved 3 January 2014.
^ ^a ^b «cliche». www.etymonline.com. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ Westwood, Alison. The Little Book of Clichés. Canary Press eBooks. ISBN 1907795138.
^ Knight, Edward Henry (1881). Knight’s American Mechanical Dictionary: A Description of Tools, Instruments, Machines, Processes, and Engineering; History of Inventions; General Technological Vocabulary; and Digest of Mechanical Appliances in Science and the Arts. Houghton, Mifflin.
^ Freeman, Michael (2004). Nature and Landscape Photography. Lark Books. p. 36. ISBN 1-57990-545-5. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
^ ^a ^b «cliche». The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. n.d. Archived from the original on 2005-01-09. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
^ ^a ^b «cliché». Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
^ ^a ^b «cliché». Dictionary.com Unabridged. n.d. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
^ ^a ^b Brown, Lesley, ed. (1993). «cliché». New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-861271-0.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Chiras, Daniel D. (1992), «Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the Biology & Environmental Science Classrooms», The American Biology Teacher, 54 (8): 464–468, doi:10.2307/4449551, JSTOR 4449551
^ Yudkowsky, Eliezer (24 Aug 2007). «Semantic Stopsigns». Less Wrong. Retrieved 26 Aug 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c Kathleen Taylor (27 July 2006). Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control. OUP Oxford. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-19-920478-6.
^ Morisy, Ann (2009), Bothered and Bewildered: Enacting Hope in Troubled Times, A&C Black, p. 29, ISBN 9781847064806, retrieved October 25, 2016
^ Clampitt, Phillip G.; Williams, M. Lee (Winter 2007), «Decision Downloading», MIT Sloan Management Review, vol. 48, no. 2, retrieved October 25, 2016
^ Lifton, Robert J. (1989). Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of Brainwashing in China. UNC Press. p. 429. ISBN 978-0-8078-4253-9.
^ Peterson, Britt (March 19, 2015), «Scientology’s enturbulating lingo», Boston Globe, retrieved October 25, 2016

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.

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

I won’t tell you everything to waste my time – just read between the lines, dude!
Lenny almost dropped the egg basket but she saved it in the nick of time.
‘You look as weak as a kitten! You need to eat good food, darling.’ said Chris’ mother.
If you snitch on Joseph to his mother, you are going to open a whole new can of worms.
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.

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«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.

Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.

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Asked by: Misael Connelly PhD

Score: 4.3/5
(10 votes)

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.

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).

What is the meaning of cliche in a sentence?

A cliché is an idea or phrase which has been used so much that it is no longer interesting or effective or no longer has much meaning. [disapproval] I’ve learned that the cliche about life not being fair is true. [ + about] It’s a cliche but true that pubs are the lifeblood of many communities.

What is the opposite of cliche?

Opposite of repeated often to the point of being stale or commonplace. fresh. new. novel. original.

What is a cliche person?

cliches. See word origin. Frequency: A person or character whose behavior is predictable or superficial. noun.

25 related questions found

Are cliches bad?

Why You Should Avoid Clichés in Writing

Overused clichés can show a lack of original thought, and can make a writer appear unimaginative and lazy. Clichés are often specific to language and cultures and may be a communication barrier to international readers.

How do you identify a cliche?

So, typically, a cliche is a phrase that you have heard over and over to the point where it is not at all fresh. Some cliches might be «pretty as a picture» or «it’s a piece of cake.» This means that the only way to identify cliches is to know what phrases are overused.

What is cliche give two examples?

A cliché is a phrase that, due to overuse, is seen as lacking in substance or originality. For example, telling a heartbroken friend that there are «Plenty of fish in the sea» is such a cliché that it would probably not be all that comforting for them to hear, even though the saying is meant to be a reassurance.

When should I use the word cliche?

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. Some are stereotypes, but some are simply truisms and facts. Clichés often are employed for comic effect, typically in fiction.

How do you replace a cliche?

Here’s a few ideas to help with that:

Let your characters inspire you. Replace a cliché with a phrase unique to your character. …
Use settings or situations. Align your phrases with the scene itself. …
Be specific. Clichés are often generalizations, so a quick way to revise them is simply to be more specific.

What makes a cliche a cliche?

Clichés are terms, phrases, or even ideas that, upon their inception, may have been striking and thought-provoking but became unoriginal through repetition and overuse. Popularity made them seem trite, turning them into what we now know as clichés.

How do you stop a cliche?

10 Tips to Avoid Clichés in Writing

Avoid Stolen or Borrowed Tales.
Resist The Lure of the Sensational.
Turn a Stereotype on its Head.
Tell the Story Only You Can Tell.
Keep it Real by Taking it Slow.
Deliver Your Story From Circumstantial Cliché
Elevate the Ordinary.
Rescue Gratuitous Scenes From Melodramatic Action.

What are 10 cliches?

10 Common Clichés And The Powerful Truths They Hold

Actions speak louder than words. …
The grass is always greener on the other side. …
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. …
You can’t judge a book by its cover. …
You can’t please everyone. …
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. …
Love is blind. …
Ignorance is bliss.

Are idioms and cliches the same?

Idioms are expressions that do not have a literal meaning; rather, they establish their connotation by how they are used in speech. Clichés are expressions that are so common and overused that they fail to impart any real impact on your sentence.

How do you make a cliche?

How to Make Clichés in Writing Original

Turn Vagueness into Specificity. Many clichés have become trite and overwritten because they fail to say anything specific. …
Build an Archetype. …
Contextualize the Story. …
Create a Writing Prompt. …
Cut out the Clichés at Writers.com.

What is a romantic cliche?

1. Stopping everything and staring into each other’s eyes. One of the most popular romantic comedy clichés, this scene is usually paired with an exaggerated overture soundtrack and flawless close-up shots.

How does cliche affect communication?

Cliché … Clichés lose their impact because readers and listeners tend to gloss over them, assuming their common meaning while ignoring your specific use of them. As a result, they can be obstacles to successful communication.

What is cliche in communication?

Clichés are words or phrases that have been overused in writing or speech, and have therefore become largely meaningless. … In many ways, much ‘jargon’, especially management jargon, has now become a cliché as well, because it has little meaning, and is often used solely to fill space or make the user sound important.

What is the most overused phrase?

Here are some of the most overused words and phrases that managers told us irritate them the most:

3 AM in the morning. …
absolutely essential. …
actual fact. …
at this point in time/at the present point in time. …
depreciate in value. …
eliminate completely/eliminate entirely. …
combine together/join together. …
end result/final outcome.

What is the difference between cliche and stereotype?

A stereotype is a character who has been portrayed in the same manner, with the same aspects of character, so many times before you’re already familiar with them. A cliché is an overused phrase. So a stereotype is an overused character. They share a lot in common.

What is the synonym of cliche?

synonyms for cliche

adage.
banality.
bromide.
buzzword.
commonplace.
motto.
platitude.
proverb.

What is cliche much?

Cliche, also spelled cliché, is a 19th century borrowed word from the French which refers to a saying or expression that has been so overused that it has become boring and unoriginal. … A plot or action sequence in a film or novel can also be called a cliche if it has become dull and predictable through overuse.

When should you avoid clichés?

When you’re writing on a more formal level, it’s better to try to avoid using clichés. They tend to annoy people, especially if they’re overused, and they may even create an impression of laziness or a lack of careful thought.

Источник

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:

More resources

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Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!

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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?

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?

35 related questions found

Is cliche good or bad?

At The End Of The Day, Cliches Can Be As Good As Gold Cliches are often criticized as the most overused and contemptible phrases in the English language. But writer Hephzibah Anderson says there are times when cliches are not only useful, but also create a sense of camaraderie.

What are cliches give two examples?

Here are some common examples of cliché in English:

Let’s touch base.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.
I’m like a kid in a candy store.
I lost track of time.
Roses are red, violets are blue…
Time heals all wounds.
We’re not laughing at you, we’re laughing with you.

Who is a cliche person?

A cliche is something that is overused and said so often that it has lost all its originality. An example of a cliche is “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. You can also use “cliche” to describe a person.

What is the effect of clichés?

The word is encumbered with negative associations, but clichés can be useful to writers. ‘The best use of clichés is thoughtful and sparing; they may provide a small and comfortable foundation from which we can take our readers or listeners on an interesting journey. ‘

What are the types of cliches?

Clichés that Describe Life, Love, and Emotions

Opposites attract.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Don’t cry over spilled milk.
The calm before the storm.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Love you more than life itself.
Scared out of my wits.
Frightened to death.

How do you know if its a cliche?

George Orwell described clichés as those images, concepts, or phrases that have “lost force.” Most clichés probably started off as fresh and exciting, but have lost their energy over repeated use. For example: He was tall, dark, and handsome.

Can a person be a cliche?

A person or character whose behavior is predictable or superficial. An expression or idea that has become trite. The definition of a cliché is an often repeated or used phrase or statement that has been used so much it has become trite and kind of meaningless.

How do you use cliche in a sentence?

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?

Why should we avoid clichés?

When you’re writing on a more formal level, it’s better to try to avoid using clichés. They tend to annoy people, especially if they’re overused, and they may even create an impression of laziness or a lack of careful thought.

Is cliche a figure of speech?

A cliché is a trite expression, often a figure of speech whose effectiveness has been worn out through overuse and excessive familiarity.

What is an empty cliché?

A platitude is a trite, meaningless, or prosaic statement, often used as a thought-terminating cliché, aimed at quelling social, emotional, or cognitive unease. … It’s a sanctimonious cliché, a statement that is not only old and overused but often moralistic and imperious. …

What are examples of euphemism?

Examples of Euphemisms

passed away instead of died.
passed over to the other side instead of died.
late instead of deceased.
dearly departed instead of deceased.
resting in peace for deceased.
no longer with us instead of deceased.
departed instead of died.
passed instead of died.

What is a cliche story?

The cliché plot, storyline, or a storytelling technique is the writer’s worst enemy. … Some storylines and plots, as well as storytelling techniques have been used in so many novels, by so many authors, that as soon as one pops up on the pages of your book, the reader will probably close it and throw it away.

What is cliche in communication?

By definition, a cliché is an expression or idea which has become overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, even to the point of being trite or irritating, especially when at some earlier time it was meaningful or novel.

How do you stop clichés?

10 Tips to Avoid Clichés in Writing

Avoid Stolen or Borrowed Tales.
Resist The Lure of the Sensational.
Turn a Stereotype on its Head.
Tell the Story Only You Can Tell.
Keep it Real by Taking it Slow.
Deliver Your Story From Circumstantial Cliché
Elevate the Ordinary.
Rescue Gratuitous Scenes From Melodramatic Action.

What’s the opposite of cliche?

(epigram) Opposite of an expression that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful. epigram. witticism. coinage. nuance.

What language does cliche come from?

Origin. The word cliché is borrowed from French, where it is a past passive participle of clicher, ‘to click’, used a noun; cliché is attested from 1825 and originated in the printing trades.

What are cliches in grammar?

‘Clichés’ are commonly used or overused expressions in the English language. You’ll often hear them in both American and British English. Although by definition a clichés is overused and therefore trite, many journalists and writers use clichés as a shortcut to convey their meaning to their readers.

What are 10 cliches?

10 Common Clichés And The Powerful Truths They Hold

Actions speak louder than words. …
The grass is always greener on the other side. …
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. …
You can’t judge a book by its cover. …
You can’t please everyone. …
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. …
Love is blind. …
Ignorance is bliss.

Are cliches metaphors?

A metaphor is a phrase that makes a comparison that isn’t literal and is often symbolic. It often says that something is something else. … Dead metaphors are clichés – they’ve been used so often they’ve lost their impact.

Источник

Clichés are often thought of as boring, unimaginative, and overused. However, clichés can actually be used to make your writing more interesting. The word cliché is the French phrase meaning “to strike an object again.”

Clichés are often used in writing to create an emotional response. Clichés can be a valuable tool for writers, but they should be handled with care and only used when necessary.

The term comes from the French word “clicher,” which means “to stereotype” because clichés have been copied time and again by many different authors until they became one-dimensional images of their former selves. It was first known to be used in 1881.

Definition

A cliche is defined as something that has been overused or repeated so often that its original meaning has become worn out or even lost completely.

It is an overused, oversaturated, and unoriginal expression that has lost its original meaning and effect. It can be a story or theme that remains no longer original and interesting. A large number of idioms have become cliché because of their excessive use. By excessive use, sometimes the words have lost their original meaning. It also refers to predictable actions or events on the basis of previous events.

According to Gerade Nerval, “The first man who compared woman to a rose was a poet, the second an imbecile.

Common Use of Cliché in Sentences

My wedding day was the happiest day of my life.
On a mourn event says “rest in peace”.
Time heals all the sorrows.
It’s not you, it’s me.
I can’t live without you.
Music is my life.
As red as rose.
As brave as a lion.
It is raining cats and dogs.
Hitting two birds with one stone.

Cliché Examples

The sky is blue
I’m going to be late
It’s raining outside
What time is it now
You’re not serious, are you ?”
I don’t know what to do with my life
I’m not really a morning person.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
The early bird gets the worm.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
The best things come to those who wait
Every cloud has a silver lining
It’s always darkest before the dawn
You can’t judge a book by its cover
Time heals all wounds
All that glitters is not gold

Examples of Cliché in Literature

Ex. 1. An essay on Criticism by Alexander Pope

Where’ver you find the cooling western breeze

In the next line it whispers through the trees,

If crystal streams ‘with pleasing murmurs creep,

The readers threatened (not in vain) with sleep

Here in the above lines, Pope is criticizing the typical and stereotypical manners of the 18^th century. He creates an image of death by telling that the writer’s clichés sometimes caused boredom for the readers.

Ex.2. Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”

Juliet said this line for Romeo considering that no matter whether he belongs to her enemy’s family. It shows that the quality of a thing is important than the thing itself.

Ex. 3. Hamlet by Shakespeare

Hamlet: Slanders, Sir. For the satirical rogue says here that old men have gray beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of wit, together with most weak hams, all which, sir, though I most powerfully and potently believe, yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down, for yourself, sir, should be old as I am. If like a crab you could go backward.

Polonius: Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.

Here in the above lines, the cliché has been observed in the speech of Hamlet and by observing the state of mind of Hamlet, Polonius consider it madness which has a method in it.

Ex. 4. Henry IV by Shakespeare

Hotspur: Marry, and I am glad of it with all my heart

I had rather be a kitten and cry mew,
Than one of these same meter ballad-mongers,
I had rather hear a brazen can stick turned,
Or a dry wheel grate on the axle-tree,
And that would set my teeth nothing on edge,
Nothing so much as mincing poetry,
Tis like the forced gait of a shuffling nag.

Here in the above lines, the highlighted words are example of a cliché.

Difference between Trope & Cliché

‘Trope’ is an idea or a theme or an analogy that is both apparent and clear-cut. “the Chosen One”, “the object of Power”, “the knight in shining armor”.‘Cliché’ can be a trope that has become over-statured or misused. One can think ‘the chosen one’ would be a tired or cliche trope, but we achieve to keep getting decent stories by using it. The phrase, “his teeth were white as pearl’s” is a cliche.

Cliché Example Sentences

Further Reading

List of Cliche
Examples of Assonance
Examples of Innuendo
Examples of Exclamation in Literature
Onomatopoeia Examples
Interrogation Examples in Literature
Types of Paradox in Literature
Oxymoron Examples from Literature
Synecdoche Examples in Literature
Figures of Speech with Examples
Antithesis Examples in Literature
Euphemism Figure of Speech
Pun Figure of Speech
Metonymy Classification & Examples
What is a simile in literature? How to write a good simile?
Types of Metaphor with Examples
Apostrophe as a Figure of Speech
Personification with Examples
Hyperbole Definition and Examples
Fable Meaning and Examples in Literature
What is Epigram in Figure of Speech?

Источник

We have all heard our fair share of cliches, but what does the term cliche actually mean? Where did this common word originate?

This article will cover the meaning of the word cliche, translations of cliche, synonyms of the word cliche, and example cliches to study.

What Does Cliche Mean?

According to Literary Terms, the word cliche is a noun that refers to a phrase, figure of speech, trite saying, idea, or image that has been overused. The word cliche is two syllables (cli-che) and the pronunciation of cliche is kliˈʃeɪ or ˈkliːʃeɪ.

The term cliche can refer to an overused phrase or an overused character development. The behavior of character archetypes, the use of tropes, or a boring love interest can all be a cliché elements of an artistic work.

What Are Translations of the Word Cliche?

The term cliché is present in many languages, but each of these languages might have its own sets of cliches that are different from English language cliches.

Some of these cliches might involve wordplay that is only possible in a specific language, while others might have cultural references that would not make sense in an English-speaking country. These translations of cliche from Nice Translator can assist you in starting to learn translations of cliche:

Vietnamese – sáo rỗng
Norwegian – klisjé
Turkish – klişe
Hungarian – közhely
Latvian – klišeja
Hebrew – קלישאה
Italian – cliché
Slovak – klišé
Serbian – kliše
Spanish – cliché
Slovenian – kliše
Persian – کلیشه
Arabic – مبتذلة
Thai – cliché
French – cliché
Estonian – klišee
Maltese – cliché
Malay – cliche
Welsh – ystrydeb
Portuguese – clichê
Czech – klišé
Polish – banał
Japanese – クリシェ
Korean – 진부한
Lithuanian – klišė
Cantonese – 三幅被
Chinese | T – 陳詞濫調
Romanian – clișeu
Russian – клише
Hindi – क्लिच
Swedish – kliché
Finnish – klisee
Ukrainian – кліше
Icelandic – klisja
Afrikaans – cliché
Chinese | S – 陈词滥调
Swahili – cliche
Danish – kliché
Bulgarian – клише
Greek – κλισέ
German – Klischee
Croatian – klišej
Dutch – cliché
Catalan – clixé

What Is the Etymology of the Word Cliche?

The word cliche originated in the printing industry in France. In the 1800s, printer’s jargon used this word to refer to a stereotype clock and the sound that it made. The French used the French participle of the verb clicher, which means to click. This was used to mimic the sound of the printmaking mold striking metal.

In modern culture and linguistics, cliche took on its current meaning in the 19th century. Since the past participle of clicher sounded like the stereotype plate, the original meaning was quickly disused.

The word cliché quickly began to mean a hackneyed plot or overused phrase rather than a molten metal electrotype plate, resulting in phrases for everything from meditation to the pain of tough workouts.

How Can the Word Cliche Be Used in a Sentence?

Cliche can reference a word, phrase, or idea that has been overused to the point of becoming boring and trite. By reading these example sentences that contain the word cliche, you can learn how to use this word in your daily life. Once you feel confident that you know the definition of cliche, you can use it speech or writing.

The poet was an original thinker and vowed never to use cliches in her writing; she did not want to come off as an imbecile in her poems or short stories.

John Crowley loved to use cliches. Some of his favorites were the phrases “light as a feather,” “like a pig in sh*t,” and “like a kid in a candy store.” His overwhelming use of cliché frustrated the young explorer who tagged along to his journeys.

The characterization of the hero in the book set in 1950s Prague was cliche. The first man she met ended up as his love interest, and the overused dialogue made readers sick to their stomachs. The sales of the book plummeted after reviews came out.

The story of the marathon runner was an inspiring cliche. After he was miraculously cured, he vowed to run a marathon in every major city in North America. His life was made into a feel-good film that people watched on television during the day.

The Christmas story of the dancers and the ornament was cliche, but the children loved hearing it every year. Even though they already knew the ending, they loved the simple story, and it made them feel happy.

What Are Synonyms of the Word Cliche?

If the word cliche doesn’t quite fit a given situation, you might be in search of a synonym instead. A synonym is a word that has the same definition as the word cliche, but it might have a different tone or implication.

Looking at synonyms of cliche listed below from Power Thesaurus might help you find the word that is on the tip of your tongue:

aphorism
awash
axiom
banalities
banality
bromide
bromides
byword
catchword
chestnut
commonplace
commonplaces
epigram
expression
familiar tune
hackneyed
hackneyed phrase
idiom
inanity
mantra
maxim
motto
old saw
old saying
phrase
platitude
platitudes
proverb
rubber stamp
saw
saying
shopworn
slogan
stereotype
stereotyped
stereotypes
stock phrase
tags
timeworn
trite
trite phrase
truism
truisms
wash

Conclusion

The term cliche comes from printers’ jargon. In it original context, cliche referred to the cliche moulds and the sound of metal used in a gear-copy cliché. These beautiful casts of French medals made a clicking sound in an earlier time, hence their technical meaning. Nowadays, this phraseology most often refers to a phrase, concept, or trope that is overused.

Sources:

Cliche synonyms – 152 Words and Phrases for Cliche | Power Thesaurus
Clichés: Definition and Examples | LiteraryTerms.net
Cliche | Nice Translator

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do’s and don’ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

Источник

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?

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Have you ever wanted a giant list of clichés to avoid (or use) in your writing?

Well, you’re in the right place! We’ve gathered the internet’s most comprehensive list of clichés all in one place for your writing pleasure.

But before we get to the list, let’s take a moment to review what a cliché is and whether or not you should use one in your work.

What Is a Cliché?

A cliché is a tired, stale phrase or idiom that, because of overuse, has lost its impact. What was once a fresh way of looking at something has become a weak prop for writing that feels unimaginative and dull. Clichés are what you write when you don’t have the energy or inspiration to think of a new way to express an idea.

George Orwell in his Rules of Writing said:

Be creative and come up with something fresh. A new analogy or metaphor will make much more of an impression on your readers than a dusty old cliché.

Examples of Clichés in Everyday Language

Sometimes clichés are so inherent in our vernacular though that they appear in our content without thought. How many times have you relied on any of the following phrases, whether in conversations or in your writing:

read between the lines
play your cards right
it’s an uphill battle
better safe than sorry
you can’t judge a book by its cover
bring to the table
low-hanging fruit
the grass is always greener on the other side
ignorance is bliss

These are a few of the tried and true (there’s another one) clichés that wiggle into our work, but add nothing to our conversations. Time and again (cliché), we resort to a cliché instead of stretching to find our own unique voice.

That said, writers often use clichés in their first drafts and that’s fine. Taking the time to think of a better metaphor can interrupt writing flow. When you switch to editing mode, go back to those clichés and brainstorm for inventive new ideas. A good writer may create and reject over a dozen images before finding the right one, so don’t worry if it takes you a while.

How to Find the Clichés that Have Crept into Your Writing

So how can you tell when you’re using a cliché? One method is to slowly read your work out loud and try to develop mental pictures of your content. Are your points specific and clear, or do some ideas appear vague? If so, you might have used a cliché.

Another technique is to analyze each sentence to see if what you wrote is likely to have appeared in anyone else’s work. Since no one has the same experiences as you, your work should express your unique voice and your individual thoughts. And sometimes we resort to clichés when we haven’t researched our subjects thoroughly enough to be original.

We think the best way to detect clichés in your writing and avoid “cliché creep” is by using ProWritingAid’s (free) Cliché Check. The report will analyze your content and find those phrases that you might not have even realized were clichés. By running each piece of work through the ProWritingAid platform, you’ll learn to recognize clichés as you write them so that you can go back and replace them with something unique.

Looking for more info about cliches? Check out this article.

The Most Comprehensive List of Clichés

Are you looking for some examples of clichés? Well, look no further. We proudly present the internet’s largest list of clichés:

A

a bad egg
a bed of roses
a bee in your bonnet
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
a blast from the past
a blot on the landscape
a bolt from the blue
a bull in a china shop
a bun in the oven
a bunch of fives
a chain is only as strong as its weakest link
a cheap knock-off
a chip off the old block
a closed mouth gathers no feet
a cult of personality
a curate’s egg
a Daniel come to judgement
a dead ringer
a diamond in the rough
a diamond is forever
a dish fit for the gods
a drop in the bucket
a face only a mother could love
a faint heart never a true love knows
a far cry
a fate worse than death
a feather in his cap
a few fries short of a happy meal
a few sandwiches short of a picnic
a fish out of water
a fly in the ointment
a fool and his money are soon parted
a fool’s paradise
a foregone conclusion
a friend in need is a friend indeed
a frog in my throat
a game of two halves
a good beginning makes a good ending
a good man is hard to find
a good rule of thumb
a hair of the dog that bit you
a half-baked idea
a horse of a different color
a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse
a house divided against itself cannot stand
a jack of all trades and a master of none
a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step
a knight in shining armor
a knock-back
a labour of love
a legend in one’s own lifetime
a leopard doesn’t change its spots
a lick and a promise
a little bird told me
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
a little of this, a little of that
a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough
a load of (old) cobblers
a long ways away
a lot of empty flattery
a man after my own heart
a man for all seasons
a man’s home is his castle
a Mexican standoff
a Mexican wave
a Mickey Finn
a mind is a terrible thing to waste
a moveable feast
a multitude of sins
a nation of shopkeepers
a necessary evil
a nest-egg
a new do
a new lease of life
a no-brainer
a penny saved is a penny earned
a picture’s worth a thousand words
a pig in a poke
a pink elephant
a place for everything and everything in its place
a plague on both your houses
a riddle wrapped up in an enigma
a rolling stone gathers no moss
a rose by any other name would smell as sweet
a rose is a rose is a rose
a rum do
a safe pair of hands
a sea change
a shoestring budget
a shot across the bows
a shot in the arm
a shot in the dark
a shotgun wedding
a sight for sore eyes
a sledgehammer to crack a nut
a sorry sight
a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down
a sticky wicket
a stitch in time saves nine
a stone’s throw away
a sweet deal
a taste of his own medicine
a thorn in the flesh
a tinker’s damn
a watched pot never boils
a white elephant
a wide berth
a winning combination
a wolf in sheep’s clothing
a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle
abandon ship
ablaze with light
about face
above board
absence makes the heart grow fonder
absolute power corrupts absolutely
ace in the hole
ace up his sleeve
achilles’ heel
acid test
apple / acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree
act the giddy goat
actions speak louder than words
after my own heart
ah, to be young and foolish
airing dirty laundry (in public)
all bent out of shape
all bets are off
all dressed up and nowhere to go
all ears
all fingers and thumbs
all for one, and one for all
all hands on deck
all hands to the pump
all heck (hell) breaks loose
all in a day’s work
all in due time.
all is vanity
all over the map
all pale in comparison
all roads lead to Rome
all talk and no action
all that glitters is not gold
all that jazz
all the bits and pieces
all the world’s a stage
all thumbs
all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy
all’s fair in love and war
All’s well that ends well.
Already got one paw on the chicken coop.
Alrighty then!
Altitude is determined by attitude.
Always a bridesmaid, never the bride.
Always look on the bright side.
Am I my brother’s keeper?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
an arm and a leg
an earful
An idle mind is the devil’s playground.
an ill wind
An oldie, but a goodie.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
and you can take that to the bank
Another day, another dollar.
Another nail in the coffin.
ants in his pants
Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.
any port in a storm
Anyhoo,
anything goes
apple of my eye
Are you a man or a mouse?
Are you fair dinkum?
armed to the teeth
around the horn
As alike as two peas in a pod.
As beautiful as the day is long.
As brown as a berry.
As busy as a bee.
As cool as a cucumber.
As dense as a London fog.
As easy as pie.
As far as the eye can see.
As fine as frog’s hair.
As good as gold.
As happy as a clam.
As happy as a sandboy.
As happy as Larry.
As honest as the day is long.
As if!
As keen as mustard.
as luck would have it
as old as Methuselah
As plain as the nose on your face.
as pleased as Punch
as snug as a bug in a rug
as straight as a die
As tender as a mother’s heart.
as the crow flies
As useful as a lead balloon.
As useful as tits on a bull.
As welcome as a skunk at a lawn party.
as white as snow
As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.
Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.
asleep at the wheel
ass backwards
ass over tea kettle
at sixes and sevens
at the crack of dawn
at the drop of a hat
at the eleventh (11th) hour
at the end of my rope / tether
at the end of the day…
at the last minute
at your wits’ end
Atta (That’s a) boy.
Atta girl.
ax to grind

B

babe in the woods
baby blues
baby boomer
back against the wall
back from the dead
back-handed comment / compliment
back in a sec
back in the saddle
back it up
back-seat driver
back-stabber
back the field
back to basics
back to square one
back to the drawing board
backroom boy
bad blood
bad call
bad hair day
bad seed
bad to the bone
badgered to death
bag and baggage
bag lady
Bags all packed and ready to go.
bait and switch
baker’s dozen
ball and chain
ball is in your court
balls to the wall
Banding together to beat the odds.
bandy words
bang on about
Banging your head against a brick wall.
bank on it
baptism by / of fire
bare bones
barefaced liar
barge (right) in
barking mad
Barking up the wrong tree.
basket case
bat an eyelid
bat the idea around
bated breath
bats in the belfry
batten down the hatches
Be afraid, be very afraid.
be in the same boat
Be still, my beating heart.
Be there or be square.
bear down
beast with two backs
beat a dead horse
beat a hasty retreat
beat about / around the bush
beat him by a long chalk
Beat it!
Beat swords into ploughshares.
Beat the living daylights out of someone.
beats me
Beauty is a fading flower.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Beauty is only skin deep.
bee in her bonnet
Beelzebub has a devil for a sideboard.
been there, done that
bee’s knees
beetle-browed
Before you could say Jack Robinson.
Before you were the gleam in your father’s eye.
beg the question
beggars can’t be choosers
Behind every great man there’s a great woman.
behind the eight (8) ball
behind the times
being led down the garden path
belle of the ball
bells and whistles
below the belt
belt and braces
belt up
bend over backwards
best bib and tucker
best-laid plans of mice and men
best thing since sliced bread
bet the farm
bet your bottom dollar
better half
better late than never
Better light a candle than curse the darkness.
better safe than sorry
better than a kick in the teeth
better than ever
Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don’t.
Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool that to speak and remove all doubt.
between a rock and a hard place
between the devil and the deep blue sea
between two stools
between you, me and the bed-post
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
Beware the ides of March.
beyond our ken
beyond the pale
big as a house
big as life
big cheese
big fish in a small pond
big picture
big-wig
bigger they are, the harder they fall
Billy No-Mates
biological clock is ticking
bird in a gilded cage
Bird in the hand is worth two (2) in the bush.
Birds of a feather flock together.
bite me
bite off more than you can chew
bite the bullet
bite the dust
bite your tongue
black as pitch
blackball someone
black sheep of the family
black-on-black
blast from the past
blaze a new trail
bleed like a stuck pig
blew him away
blew his wad
blind as a bat
blind leading the blind
blonde bombshell
blood and thunder
blood brothers
Blood is thicker than water
blood money
bloody-minded
bloom is off the rose
blow a gasket
blow chunks
blow it
blow me down
blow the whistle on
blow this joint
blow your brains out
blow your mind
blow your own trumpet
blowing smoke (up my ass)
blown away
blue blood
blue in the face
blunt words have the sharpest edge
Bob is your uncle
bodice ripper
bog standard
boils down to
bone-chilling cold
bone dry
bone idle
bone of contention
bone to pick
bone up on
booby prize
booby trap
boot is on the other foot
booze cruise
bored to tears
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
Born within the sound of the Bow bells.
botch the job
both barrels
bottom drawer
bottom line
bottom of the barrel
bought the farm
bounce back
bowl someone over
box yourself in
Boys will be boys.
bragging rights
brain drain
brand spanking new
break a leg
break the ice
bright as a button
bring home the bacon
bring it on
bring sand to the beach
broad in the beam
broke the bank
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Brownie points
buck naked,
buck stops here
buckle down
Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.
built like a brick sh#thouse
built like a tank
built to last
bum steer
bummer
bump in the road
bump on a log
bums on seats
bun in the oven
bunny boiler
burn the candle at both ends
burn the midnight oil
burn your bridges
burn your ships
burning up the track
bury the hatchet
bury your head in the sand
business as usual
business at hand
bust your balls
bust your chops
busting a gut
busy as a bear in a beehive
busy as a bee
busy as a one-armed paperhanger
busy as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest
busy hands are happy hands
But enough about me …
butt of a joke
butter him up
Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
butterflies in his stomach
buy a pig in a poke
buy into
buy something for a song
by all means, after you
by and large
by George
by gum
by hook or by crook
by the same token
by the skin of your teeth

Ready to learn more techniques? Check out the ProWritingAid session below:

C

Call a spade a spade.
call it a day
call off the dogs
call the shots
Can it!
can of whoop ass
can of worms
can’t (won’t) get to first base with her
can’t beat that with a stick
can’t blame him for trying
can’t cut it
can’t for the life of me remember
can’t get a word in edgewise
can’t have your cake and eat it too
can’t hold a candle to
can’t judge a book by its cover
can’t learn to swim without getting in the water
can’t say enough about him
cant say’s I would
can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip
can’t teach an old dog new tricks
can’t win for losing
carbon copy
carpe diem (seize the day)
carrot on a stick
carry coals to Newcastle
carry the can
carry the team
carte blanche
case in point
cash cow
cash in your chips
cash is king
cash it in
cash on the nail
cast a very long shadow
Cat got your tongue?
Catch (Get) my drift?
catch-22 (situation)
catch a falling knife
catch forty / 40 winks
catch hell if I do
catch on
catching some Zs
cat-like grace
cat’s whiskers
caught between a rock and a hard place
caught between Scylla and Charybdis
caught by the short hairs
caught in the crossfire
caught me off-guard
caught red-handed
caught with his hands in the till
caught with his pants down
caught with your hand in the cookie jar
chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link
chalk and cheese
champ at the bit
Champagne tastes and a beer budget
change your tune
changes hands
channel surfing
chapter and verse
Charity begins at home.
charm offensive
charm the pants off
charmed life
chatty Cathy
cheap at half the price
cheap shot
cheap trick
check it out
check’s in the mail
cherchez la femme
chew out
chew the cud
chew the fat
chewing nails and spitting tacks
chick flick
chief cook and bottle washer
children should be seen and not heard
child’s play
chink in the armor
chip in
chip off the old block
chip on his shoulder
chit-chat
chock full
chock-a-block
chop and change
chow down
chuck-a-nana : throwing a temper tantrum (Australian)
clam up
clapped out
clash of the titans
clean as a whistle
clean bill of health
clean sweep
Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
clear as a bell
clear as mud
clear blue water
clear the air
clear the decks
climb on the bandwagon
climbing the walls
close but no cigar
close call,
close early and often
close enough for jazz
close only counts in horseshoes
close quarters
(to) close ranks
Close your eyes and think of England.
closing the barn door after the horse has bolted
Cloud-Cuckoo-Land
clucking and bucking with the other hens
clue me in
coast to coast
cock and bull story
cock up
cockles of your heart
coin a phrase
cold as a witch’s tit
cold as ice
cold comfort
cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey
cold feet
cold hands, warm heart
cold shoulder
cold turkey
come a cropper
come a’callin
Come again?
come hell or high water
come in under the wire
come out of the closet
come up short
come up trumps
come what may
coming apart at the seams
coming down in buckets
coming down the pike
comparing apples to oranges
contemplate my navel
cook one’s goose
cook the books
cooking with gas (now)
cool as a cucumber
cool Britannia
cool your heels
cool your jets
copper-bottomed guarantee
cor blimey
cost an arm and a leg
cotton on to someone
couldn’t do it to save his soul / hide
couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper sack / bag
couldn’t make heads or tails of it
count your blessings
cover my ass
crack down
crack the code
crack the whip
cracker Jack
cracking up
crammed in like sardines
crazy as a loon
crazy like a fox
crazy / mad as a march hare
cream of the crop
Credit where credit is due,
creme de la creme
Crime doesn’t pay.
crocodile tears
cross the line
crossing the Rubicon
cruisin’ for a bruisin’
Cry Havoc and let slip the dogs of war.
cry me a river
cry over spilled milk
cry wolf
curb your enthusiasm
curiosity killed the cat
curry favor
curse a blue streak
cut and run
cut corners
cut from the same cloth
cut it out
cut no ice
Cut off your nose to spite your face.
cut the mustard
cut to the chase
cut your losses
cut your teeth
cute as a button
cuts like a knife
cuts to the core
cuts to the quick
cutting through all the red tape

D

dagger / knife in the heart
damned if you do and damned if you don’t
dance with the Devil
dances (moves) to the beat of a different drummer
dangle a carrot in front of him
dark horse
darting to and fro
dat dawg don’t hunt no more
David versus Goliath
Davy Jones’ locker
(a) day late and a dollar short
daylight robbery
dead as a Dodo
dead as a doornail
dead ringer
deal with it
dealt a fatal blow
death by a thousand cuts
deep in thought
deer in headlights
designer stubble
deus ex machina
diamond in the rough
die-hard
different kettle of fish
dig yourself into a hole
dip your toe in the water
dirt cheap
distance makes the heart grow fonder
do a one-eighty / 180
Do as I say and not as I do.
Do birds fly?
Do not call us, we will call you.
Do not count your chickens before they hatch.
do not go there
do not have a clue
Do not keep a dog and bark yourself.
Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.
do not poke the bear
do not pull my leg
Don’t try to teach your Grandma to suck eggs.
Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
do or die
Do unto others as you would have other do unto you.
do what it takes
Does a bear sh#t in the woods?
doesn’t know if she’s washing or hanging out
does not know shit from Shinola
doesn’t have a prayer
doesn’t stand a chance
dog days
dog eat dog
dog in the manger
dog tired
Dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
(the) dog’s bollocks
dog’s breakfast
dog’s dinner
Dogs have masters, cats have staff.
(a) dog’s life
doing the horizontal bop
doing time
done a runner
done to a turn
done up like a Christmas tree
donkey’s years
don’t air your dirty laundry in public
don’t be a party pooper
don’t be a stick in the mud
don’t be such a big girl’s blouse (English)
don’t bite of more than you can chew
don’t bite the hand that feeds you
don’t burn your bridges
don’t change horses in midstream
don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched
don’t do anything I wouldn’t do
don’t fire ’til you see the whites of their eyes
don’t fly off the handle,
don’t get your knickers in a twist (English)
don’t get your panties / shorts in a bunch / wad
don’t go there
don’t have a cow
don’t have two nickels to rub together
don’t hold your breath
don’t jump to conclusions
don’t know him from Adam
don’t let the bed bugs bite
don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
don’t look back
don’t make a fuss
don’t make me do something I’ll regret
don’t paint the devil on the wall (German)
Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining!
don’t push your luck
don’t put all your eggs in one basket
don’t rock the boat
Don’t shoot me, I’m just the messenger.
don’t sweat it
don’t take any wooden nickels
don’t tempt fate
don’t toot your own horn
Don’t trust the lock to which everyone has a key. (Swedish)
don’t upset the apple cart
don’t use a lot where a little will do
don’t want to cover old ground,
dot the I’s and cross the T’s
double dutch
double whammy
doubting Thomas
down and out
down at heel
down in the mouth
down on your/his luck
down the hatch
down the pan
down the tubes
down to earth
down to the wire
drain the lizard
draw a blank
draw the line
dream on
dressed to kill
dressed to the nines
drink like a fish
drive me to drink
drive me/you nuts
drive me/you up a wall
drive someone doolally
drive the point home
driving your ducks to a (mighty) poor pond
drop a dime
(a) drop in the bucket
drop me a line
drop-dead gorgeous
dropping like flies
drown your sorrows
drum up support
drunk as a skunk,
dry as a bone
ducks in a row
dumb as a post
dumber than a bag of hammers
dumber than a box of rocks
duvet day
dyed in the wool,

E

eager beaver
early bird catches the worm
Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise,
earmark something
earn one’s stripes
earned his wings
easier said than done
easy as 123
easy as ABC
easy as pie
eat dirt
eat, drink and be merry
eat like a horse
eat my dust
eat my hat
eat one’s words
eat your heart out
eaten out of house and home
eating humble pie
economical with the truth
egg on your face
(to) egg on
Elementary, my dear Watson.
(the) elephant in the room
(at the) eleventh hour
Elvis has left the building.
emotional roller coaster
empty flattery
(the) ends justify the means
Et tu, Brutus?
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.
even keel
Even Stevens
every dark cloud has a silver lining
every dog has his day
every man for himself
every man has his price
Every man has stupid thoughts, only wise men keep them quiet. (Swedish)
every rose has its thorn
every Tom, Dick, and Harry
every which way but loose
everyone has their cross to bear
everything but the kitchen sink
everything’s coming up daisies
everything’s coming up roses
everything’s copasetic
everything’s hunky dory
exceedingly well read
Excuse me while I kiss this guy.
excuse my French
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.
Eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog.
eye to eye
eyeball someone or something
eyeball to eyeball

F

(a) face like a bulldog chewing on a wasp
(a) face like a burst couch
(a) face like a dropped meat pie
(a) face only a mother could love
(the) face that launched a thousand ships
(a) face that would scare a dog out of a butcher shop
face the music
face up to the facts
fair and square,
fair play
fair weather friend
fait accompli
faith can move mountains
fake it till you make it
fall from grace
fall guy
fall head over heels
fall off the back of a lorry
fall on your sword
fall through the cracks
famous for fifteen minutes
fan the flames
fancy free
fancy meeting you here
fancy-pants
far and away the best
far be it from me
far from the madding crowd,
fashion victim
(a) fast buck
faster than a speeding bullet
faster than greased lightning
fat as a cow
fat as a pig
fat chance
feast your eyes on this
(a) feather in his cap
feed a cold, starve a fever
feeding frenzy
feel like a fifth wheel
fell off my plate
(the) fickle finger of fate
fiddling while Rome burns
Fie, fi, foh, fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman.
fight fire with fire
fight like a man
fight like cats and dogs
fight the good fight
figure it out
filthy rich,
finders keepers, losers weepers
fine and dandy
fine line
finer than frog hair,
fire in the belly
firing on all cylinders
First things first.
fish or cut bait
fish out of water
fit as a fiddle
fit to be hung
fit to be tied
fits and starts
fits like a glove
flag something down
Flash as a rat with a gold tooth.
flash in the pan
flat as a board
flat as a long-poured champagne
flat as a pancake
flat out
flattery will get you nowhere
flavor of the month
fleet footed (fleet of foot)
flesh and blood
flipped her lid
flirt with disaster
flog a dead horse
flotsam and jetsam
flown the coop
fly by night
fly by the seat of your pants
fly in the face of
fly in the ointment
fly off the handle
fly on the wall
flying by the seat of your pants
foam at the mouth
fob off
follow suit
Follow the leader.
following in his footsteps
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
fools’ gold
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
foot in the door
foot loose and fancy free
foot the bill
for crying out loud
for ever and a day
for everything there is a season
for God’s sake
for Pete’s sake
for the love of God/Pete/Mike
for want of the nail, the shoe was lost
for whom the bell tolls
forbidden fruit,
forever and a day
Forgive them for they know not what they do.
fork out
foul play
four corners of the earth
free as a bird
free reign
fresh as a daisy
fresh out of ideas
fried to one’s tonsils
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.
frisky as a puppy
frog in my throat
from day one
from here to Timbuktu
from sea to shining sea
from strength to strength
from the four corners of the earth
from the frying pan into the fire
fruit of your loins
Fuddy-Duddy
full Monty
full of himself
full of hot air
full of mischief
full of piss and vinegar
full tilt
full to the back teeth
funny business
Funny Farm
funny you mention it
fur coat and no knickers
fuzzy wuzzy

G

Gadzooks!
gag me with a spoon
game is on the line
gang bang
gathering like flies
gave it a wide berth
gee whiz
Generation X
Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.
get / start the ball rolling
get a grip on yourself
get a handle on this
get a life
get a room
get a word in edgewise
get ahead early and stay ahead late
get all worked up
get along like oil and water
get an earful
get back up on the horse
get cleaned out
get crushed
get down to bare bones
get down to brass tacks
get down to the nitty gritty
get it outta my hair
get lost
Get my message?
get off on the wrong foot
get on her high horse
get on her soap box
get one’s goat
get out of here
get outta town by sundown
get over it
get stuffed
get the peanut butter out of your ears
get the show on the road
Get thee behind me, Satan.
get to the bottom of it
get underway
Get used to it!
Get with the program!
get your arms around it
get your ducks in a row
get your feet wet
get your foot in the door
get your goat
get your head in the game
gift of the gab
gild the lily
gimme a break
gird your loins
give a hoot
give a little take a little
give a wide berth
give an inch, and he takes a mile
give and take
give him a run for his money
give it a rest
give it a whirl
give it away
give me a hand
give someone a break
give the shirt off your back
give them a hand
give up the ghost
give your right arm
given to him on a silver platter
giving someone the bird
glass ceiling
glimmer of hope
gloss over
glowing like a good deed in a naughty world
glutton for punishment
go against the grain
go and boil your head
go back to the well
go ballistic
go belly up
go berserk
go by the book
go figure
go fly a kite
go for broke
go head to head
go jump in the lake
go like the clappers
go off at half-cock
go out in a blaze of glory
go out on a limb
go over his head
go overboard
go the extra mile
go through the motions
go through the roof
go to pot
go to the dogs
go together hand in hand
go too far
go where the green lights lead you
go with the flow
go with your gut
God help us.
God only knows.
God speed
God willing (and the creek don’t rise)
going against the tide
going bananas
going gang-busters
going nineteen to the dozen
going to hell in a hand basket
gold digger
golden child
Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden
gone but not forgotten
gone to the dogs
good as gold
good as new
(a) good beginning makes a good ending
good call
Good fences make good neighbors.
(a) good man is hard to find
good men and true
Good one!
Good riddance!
good rule of thumb
good Samaritan
good soldier
good things come to those who wait
good to go
good to the last drop
Goody Two-Shoes
goofing off
Gordon Bennett
got a hole in his pocket
got a leg up on it
got a loaf in the oven
got beat like a drum
got burned
got him by the short hairs
got knocked up
got lost in the shuffle
got my mojo working
got off on the right foot
got off on the wrong foot
got schooled
got spanked
got taken for a ride
got the stuffing beat out of him
got them by the short and curlies
got under my skin
got whooped
got you over a barrel
got your hand caught in the cookie jar
got your head in the clouds
got your nose all pushed out of joint
grace of God
Grand Slam,
grasping at straws
(the) grass is always greener on the other side
grass up
graveyard shift
grease a palm
greased lightning
green-eyed monster
green with envy
greener pastures
grin and bear it
grin like a Cheshire cat
grinning from ear to ear
grist for the mill
ground rules
Groundhog day
growing like a weed
gum up the works
gunning for
guns blazing

H

had his bell rung
hair of the dog
Halcyon days
half a bubble off
half a loaf is better than none
half cocked
half-baked idea
Halt! Who goes there?
hand over fist
handbags at dawn
handle it with kid gloves
hands on
hang by a thread
hang in there
hang me out to dry
hang on every word
hanging onto mother’s apron strings
hanky panky
happy as a clam
happy as a lark
happy as a pig in mud / sh#t
happy camper
hard as a rock
hard cheese,
hard to swallow
harder for a rich man to go to heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
hare-brained idea
harp on
haste makes waste
hat in hand
haul someone over the coals
have a heart
have a nice day
have an ax to grind
have ’em in stitches
have the last laugh
haven’t got a penny to my name
haven’t got a row to hoe
haven’t got a row to hoe
haven’t seen hide nor hair of him
he breasted his cards
he can’t see the forest for the trees
he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn
He doesn’t know what time it is,
he gave a hundred and ten percent
he got plastered
he got the short end of the stick
he has a few loose screws
he has a way with words
he has egg on his face
he is toast
he knows which side his bread is buttered on
he learned his lesson
he left no stone unturned
he let the cat out of the bag
he looks like death warmed up
he made a mad dash for it
He never met a doughnut he didn’t like.
he put one over on me
he single-handedly destroyed an empire
he speaks with a forked tongue
he spilled the beans
He was Aladdin in an orchard dripping with diamonds!
he was just a port in the storm
he was talking into his hat lying
he was the life of the party
he went the whole nine / 9 yards
he went to the school of hard knocks (university of life)
He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches.
He who cannot dance, blames the DJ,
he who hesitates is lost
He who laughs last, laughs best.
He who lives by the sword, shall die by the sword,
he will give the Devil his due
he won, hands down
he/she is as dense as a London fog
He/She silenced the critics.
he/she was like a brother/son/father/sister/mother/daughter to me
head over heels
heading for the poor house
heads up
heard it through the grapevine
heart of gold
heaven help us
heavens to Betsy
hedge your bets,
Heebie-Jeebies,
hell-bent for leather
Hell has no fury like a woman scorned.
hell or high water
Helter-Skelter
hem and haw
hen pecked
her biological clock is ticking
Here lies one whose name was writ in water.
here today, gone tomorrow
here’s mud in your eye
Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?
he’s a bald-faced liar
he’s a bubble shy of plumb
he’s a corn-fed hick
he’s a dark horse
he’s a fall guy
he’s a smooth operator
he’s all flibberty jibbets
he’s all hat and no cattle (added by popular demand!)
he’s always blowing his own horn
he’s an easy study
he’s an inch deep and a mile wide
he’s bitten off more than he can chew
he’s built like a brick shit-house
he’s changing his tune
he’s chomping at the bit
he’s dressed to the nines
he’s feeling his oats
he’s fishing for compliments
he’s gone to ground
he’s got a bug up his ass
He’s got more money than he knows what to do with.
He’s got the skills to pay the bills,
he’s gunning for a fight
he’s hen pecked
he’s milk toast
he’s not playing with a full deck
he’s not the sharpest knife in the cabinet
he’s over the hill
he’s pulling your leg
he’s pushing up daisies
he’s really laying it on thick
he’s really on the ball
he’s scared of his own shadow
he’s so matter-of-fact
He’s so ugly, he’d have to sneak up on a glass of water to get a drink.
he’s the south end of a north-bound horse
he’s thinking with the wrong head
he’s waiting for his ship to come in
het up
hide the salami
higgledy piggledy
high and dry
high as a kite
high hopes
high time
high, wide and handsome
high-flyer
highway robbery
Hindsight is twenty/twenty (20/20),
His bark is worse than his bite,
His elevator doesn’t go to the top floor.
his eyes are bigger than his stomach
His left hand doesn’t know what his right hand is doing.
His mouth is writing checks his body can’t cash.
hissy fit
history repeats itself
hit below the belt
hit every ugly branch falling out of the tree
Hit him right between the numbers.
hit the books
Hit the deck!
hit the ground running
hit the hay
hit the nail on the head
hit the sack
hoist by your own petard
hoity-toity
hold down the fort
hold the phone
hold your horses
holding all the cards
holier than thou
home is where the heart is
Home is where you hang your hat,
Hook, line and sinker.
hop, skip and a jump
hope against hope
Hope springs eternal.
horse around,
horse of a different color
horse play
horsing around
hot as hell
Hot enough for you?
Hot enough to fry an egg.
hot off the press
hot on the heels
hot under the collar
Hotter than a fox in a firestorm.
Houston, we have a problem.
How are the mighty fallen.
How do I love thee?
How now, brown cow?
How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.
How’s it hanging?
How’s that for a topper?
hugged him closer than peel does a banana
hump day
hunker down
hunky dory
hurl insults
hurts like the Dickens

I

I beg to differ.
I bought it for a song.
I busted my hump.
I can’t stand it.
I can’t stomach that.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure its been / It’s been a pleasure.
I could eat a horse.
I could whip you with one arm tied behind my back.
I didn’t come down the Clyde in a banana boat. (Scottish, Glasgow)
I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition.
I don’t give a fig.
I don’t give a jot.
I hate to say this, but…,
I have a bone to pick with you.
I have an ax to grind.
I have not slept one wink.
I have nothing to declare but my genius.
I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.
I haven’t a clue.
I haven’t the foggiest.
I heard (hear) that!
I need that like a hole in the head.
I need that like a moose needs a hat rack.
I never met a man (horse, etc.) I didn’t like.
I ought to tan your hide.
I put two and two together…
I quit smoking cold turkey.
I second that.
I smell a rat.
I spy with my little eye.
I trust him as far as I can throw him.
I want my place in the sun.
I was roped into it.
I wasn’t born yesterday.
I will give you that to boot.
I will go to the foot of our stairs.
I will wear my heart upon my sleeve.
I wouldn’t p#ss on your teeth if they were on fire.
I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could spit.
ice water in his/her veins
icing on the cake
I’d bet my bottom dollar
I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached
I’d rather be a hammer than a nail
I’d rather have a bottle in front of me, than a frontal lobotomy.
idle chit-chat
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his ass hopping.
If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?
if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again
If God had meant for man to fly, he would’ve given us wings.
If his word were a bridge — you’d be afraid to cross!
If I had a nickel for every time he _, I’d be a millionaire.
If I had my druthers
if I were in his shoes
if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all
if it’s not one thing it’s another
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times.
if looks could kill
If music be the food of love, play on.
If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed, Mohammud must go to the mountain.
If the shoe fits, wear it.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em
if you can’t find it, grind it
if you can’t kill the king then don’t wound him
If you can’t see the bottom, don’t put your foot in the water. (Swedish)
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
If you can’t take Mohammed to the mountain, take the mountain to Mohammed.
If you chase two rabbits, both will escape,
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
If you get the sense, then chuck the tense.
if you love something set it free
if you play your cards right…
If you think that, you have another think coming.
if you were any closer, it would bite you
If your foresight was as good as your hindsight, we would be better by a far sight.
If you’re going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk.
if you’ve seen one you’ve seen ’em all
ignorance is bliss
ignorance of the law is no excuse
I’ll be a monkey’s uncle
I’ll be damned
I’ll be the judge of that, thank you.
I’ll be there with bells on
I’ll bet a dollar to a donut
I’ll eat my hat
I’ll fix you
I’ll fix your little red wagon
I’ll leave you with something to chew on
I’ll procrastinate later
I’ll punch his lights out
I’ll see you in hell
I’m going bananas
I’m gonna clean your clock
I’m gonna lay down the law
I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair
I’m in hog heaven
I’m not a rocket scientist (it ain’t rocket science)
I’m not getting any younger
I’m on a roll,
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
in a New York minute
in a nutshell
in a pickle,
in a pig’s eye
in a quandary
in a trice
in a wink
in an interesting condition
in bed with one’s boots on
in cahoots with
in every life a little rain must fall
in fine fettle
in for a fleecing
In for a penny, in for a pound.
in for the long haul
in full cry
in harm’s way
in my mind’s eye
in one ear and out the other
In one fell swoop
in over your head
in seventh heaven
In still weather everyone is a good sailor. (Swedish)
in stitches
in the bag
in the black
in the box-seat
in the buff
in the cards
in the clear
in the dark
in the doghouse
in the doldrums
in the hot seat
in the joint,
in the limelight
in the money
in the nick of time
in the offing
in the pink
in the red
in the rough
in the twinkling of an eye
in two (2) shakes of a lamb’s tail
In your dreams
in your face
Indian summer
innocent as the day he was born
irons in the fire
Is a pig pork?
Is it soup yet?
Is nothing sacred?
Is the Pope Catholic?
Is this a dagger which I see before me?
Isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.
It ain’t rocket science.
It all boils down to this.
It came like a bolt from the blue.
It is a long road without a turn.
It is all grist to the mill.
It is better to give than to receive.
It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
it isn’t all sweetness and light
it just goes to show…
It never rains but it pours.
It sounds like a thrashing machine.
it stands to reason
It takes two to tango.
It takes two fools to argue.
it took my breath away
it was a piece of cake
it was a white-knuckle ride
it was an ill-fated idea
it will be a cold day in hell
it will do
it won’t fly
It’s no use crying over spilled milk.
it’s a dog-eat-dog world
its a dog’s life
it’s a doozy
it’s a freckle past a hair
It’s a game of inches
It’s a lemon.
it’s a long shot
it’s a one-horse town
its a sure thing
It’s a wash
it’s all cut and dried
It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
it’s all Greek to me
it’s all in your head
It’s all over but the crying
its all topsy turvy
it’s an ill wind that blows no good
It’s autumn in her mouth and all her tongue can do is rustle!
it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick
it’s cutting edge
it’s darkest just before the dawn
it’s got a great beat, but you can’t dance to it
It’s in the bag.
It’s just one of those days, I guess.
it’s like my daddy used to say…
it’s neck and neck
it’s never too late to learn
It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
it’s not all it’s cracked up to be
It’s not over till it’s over.
it’s not the heat it’s the humidity
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.
it’s not written in stone
it’s nothing earth-shattering
it’s on the tip on my tongue
it’s only a matter of time
It’s raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock.
It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
I’ve been had.
I’ve got a monkey on my back.
I’ve got it covered.
I’ve got other fish to fry,
I’ve had it up to here,
ivory tower

J

Jack of all trades and a master of none.
jockeying for position
join the ranks
joined at the hip
(a) journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step
jump down your throat
jump in with both feet
jump on the bandwagon
jump the gun
(the) jury is still out
Just a cotton pickin’ minute here.
just a drop in the bucket
just a minute
just a second
just admiring the view
just around the bend
just as sweet as you please
just fell off the turnip truck
just like riding a bike
just the tip of the iceberg
just thought I’d throw that in
just washed my hair and can’t do a thing with it
just what the doctor ordered
justice is blind

K

kangaroo court
kangaroo loose in the top paddock
Keep a bad dog with you, and the good dogs won’t bite.
keep a stiff upper lip
keep a wide berth
keep an (my) eye on you
keep body and soul together
keep danger at bay
keep ’em flying (keep your spirits up)
keep it down
keep it simple, stupid (KISS)
keep it under your hat
keep it up
keep on your toes
keep schtum
keep something at bay
keep the ball rolling
keep the home fires burning
keep up with the Joneses
keep your fingers crossed
keep your chin up
keep your eye on the ball
keep your eyes open
keep your eyes peeled
keep your hair on
keep your nose to the grindstone
keep your pants on
keep your pecker up
keep your powder dry
keep your shirt on
keep your shoulder to the wheel
keep your thoughts to yourself
keeping (staying) on top of it
keeping the world safe for democracy
keeps her cards close to her chest
keeps on ticking
keepy-uppy
kettle of fish
kick back
kick ’em when they’re down
kick him/her to the curb
kick some butt (ass)
kick the bucket
kick your heels
kicked (took it) in the huevos
kid in a candy store
kill ’em with kindness
king of the hill
(a) king’s ransom
kiss and tell
kiss ass
kiss of death
kissing the rose
kitten on the keys
knee-high to a grasshopper
knee-jerk reaction
knock ’em dead
knock it off
knock it out of the park
knock off (work)
(a) knock-off
knock on wood
knock the cover off the ball
knock your socks off
knock yourself out
knocked into a cocked hat
knocked up
know it like the back of my hand
know the ropes
know the score
know what’s up
know where you stand
know which side your bread is buttered on
know which way the wind blows
know your onions
knows it chapter and verse
knuckle down
(a) knuckle sandwich

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L

La dolce vita
La-di-da
Lager Frenzy
Lamb to the slaughter
Lame Duck
Land of milk and honey
Lardy-Dardy
Lark about
Last but not least
Last-ditch effort
Last hurrah
Last, but not least
Laugh a minute
Laugh like a drain
laughing all the way to the bank
Laughing-Stock
laughter is the best medicine
Lay down the law
Lay it on with a trowel
Lay it out in lavender
Lay my cards (out) on the table
Lead-pipe cinch
Learn the ropes
least said, soonest mended
Leave / Make your mark
Leave no stone unturned
Left at the altar
Left in the lurch
left-handed compliment
Legend in his own mind
Leopard doesn’t change its spots
Less is More
lesser of two evils
Let a thousand flowers bloom
Let bygones be bygones.
let God sort ’em out
let me bend your ear
Let not the sun go down on your wrath.
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Let the cat out of the bag
let them eat cake
Let there be light
let your hair down
Let’s forge ahead, shall we?
let’s get the ball rolling
Let’s roll!
Let’s split!
let’s tie the knot
Level playing field
Lick into shape
lickety-split
licking one’s wounds
lie down with dogs and wake up with fleas
Lie Low
life goes on
life in the fast lane
life is a bowl of cherries
life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get
Life is not all beer and skittles
life is what you make it
Life of Riley
life stinks
Life’s a b#tch
life’s too short,
lift myself up by the bootstraps
lift your game (get your act together)
light a fire under it
light as a feather
Light at the end of the tunnel
Light in the loafers
lighter than air
Lightning never strikes the same place twice
Lights are on but there’s nobody home
like a bat out of hell
like a broken record
Like a bull in a china shop
Like a chicken with his head cut off.
Like a coiled spring.
like a dog chasing cars
like a duck on a June Bug
like a fish out of water
Like a lost dog in the high weeds.
Like a moth to a flame.
like balling the jack
Like being savaged by a dead sheep.
Like billy-o
Like butter
like chalk and cheese (English)
Like father, like son.
Like flies on sh#t.
like getting your tit in the wringer
Like it’s going out of style.
like lambs to the slaughterhouse
like looking for a needle in a haystack
Like oil and water.
like pigs in a poke
Like sh#t off a shovel.
Like shooting ducks on a pond.
like shooting fish in a barrel
like taking candy from a baby
Like the Dickens.
Like there is no tomorrow.
like walking on eggshells
like water off a duck’s back
Like white on rice.
Lily-Livered
Line in the sand
Lions led by donkeys
Lion’s share
Lipstick on a pig
Little of this, a little of that
little strokes fell great oaks
live and learn
live and let live
Live long and prosper
Living hand to mouth
Living high off the hog
living in an ivory tower
Living legend
Living off the fat of the land.
Living on borrowed time.
Living the life of Riley.
Lo and Behold
Load of cobblers / codswallop
loaves and fishes
lock, stock, and barrel
long and short of it
long arm of the law
long in the tooth
(a) long shot
Long time no see.
Long ways away.
Look a gift horse in the mouth.
Look before you leap.
Look into your heart
look out for number one
Look out!
Look over your shoulder
Looking at the world through rosy colored glasses
Looking for a needle in a haystack
looks can be deceiving
looks like there’s a new sheriff in town
Loose cannon
Loose lips sink ships,
Loose your shirt
Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise,
Lose Face — Save Face
Lose your lunch
Lose your marbles
lose your mind
Lost a step
lost his shirt
Lots of honey makes bees lazy. (Swedish)
love and hate are two horns on the same goat
love conquers all
love is a many-splendored thing
love is blind
love thy neighbor
Lower than a snake’s belly
lower the boom
Luck of the draw
Lucky Stiff
lying through your teeth

M

mad as a hatter
mad as a March hare
madder than a wet hen
made in the shade
made it by the skin of my teeth
Made of money
Make a bee-line for
make a big deal out of nothing
Make a break for it
make a fast buck
Make a long story short
Make a mountain out of a mole hill
make a statement without saying a word
Make a virtue of necessity
Make an ass out of yourself
Make ends meet,
make hay while the sun shines,
Make heads or tails of
Make Him an offer he can’t refuse
make like a baby and head out
make like a tree and leave
Make Money hand over fist
Make no bones about it
Make or break
Make out like a bandit
Make the grade
make tracks
Make up
Make waves
Make your move
Makes my blood boil
Makes your hair stand on end
Makin’ bacon
making him sing like a canary
making money hand over fist,
making the beast with two backs
Making whoopee
Mal de mer
Man does not live by bread alone
Man for all seasons
Man up
man’s best friend
Many a true word is spoken in jest.
Many are called but few are chosen.
Many hands make light work.
march to the beat of a different drummer
mark my words
(a) marked man
marking time
Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
Matter-of-fact
May you live in interesting times.
maybe something will jog your memory
Mea culpa
mean as a snake
Meet and greet
Melting pot
memory like an elephant
Ménage à trois,
methinks she doth protest too much
Middle of the road
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
Milk it (for all it’s worth)
Milk of human kindness
mind over matter
mind your manners
Mind your own Beeswax
mind your own business
mind your p’s and q’s
misery loves company
missed by a hair
missed the boat
Moaning Minnie
Monday morning quarterback
money burns a hole in his pocket
Money can’t buy you happiness
Money doesn’t grow on trees
Money grubbing
money is the root of all evil
money makes the world go round
Money out (up) the wazoo
Monkey business
monkey see monkey do
Monkeying around
Montezuma’s Revenge
Many a Mickle makes a Muckle
more cliches than you can shake a stick at,
More fool you,
more fun than a barrel of monkeys
More honoured in the breach than in the observance.
More than meets the eye.
more the merrier
(the) more things change, the more they stay the same
(the) more we learn, the less we know
Moving the goalposts
Much ado about nothing
Much of a muchness
Mud slinging
Mug for the camera
Mumbo Jumbo
Mum’s the word
Murphy’s law
My bad
My better half
My brain is fried
my cup runneth over
My giddy aunt,
my hair was on end
My hands are tied
my hat’s off to you
my head is swimming
my heart sank
my little black book
My mind’s eye
My stomach is tied up in knots.
My way or the highway.

N

Nail your colors to the mast.
Naked as a jaybird.
Naked as the day you were born.
Namby-Pamby
name and shame
name that tune
name will be Mud
name your poison
nary a word was spoken
Nasty, Brutish and Short
nature’s first green is gold
near and dear to my heart
Necessary evil
necessity is the mother of invention
Needs must
neither a borrower not a lender be
Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring
neither fish nor fowl
neither here nor there
Nerves of steel
nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof
nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs
nervous as a whore in church
Never cast a clout till May be out
Never give a sucker an even break
never hurts to try
never in a month of Sundays
never put off until tomorrow what you can do today
never say never
Never the twain shall meet.
Never-Never Land
New kid on the block
New lease on life
nice cage, no bird
nice day for a picnic
Nice guys finish last
nice work, if you can get it
Nine days’ wonder
Nip and tuck
Nip it in the bud
Nitty-Gritty,
no accounting for taste
No dice
No go
no guts, no glory
no holds barred
No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it
No man is an island,
No more cakes and ale?
no one here but us chickens!
no pain, no gain
No rest for the wicked,
No room to swing a cat
No sh#t, Sherlock
no skin off my back
No skin off my nose
No strings attached
no use crying over spilled milk
No victory without a battle. (Swedish)
no way (or why) on God’s green Earth
No way, José,
nod off
None of your business.
none too pleased
Noodle on
Nose in the air
Not a spinning wheel in the kingdom and then you prick your finger!
Not all it’s cracked up to be.
Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin.
not enough room to swing a cat
not for all the tea in China
not for nothing, but…
not just another pretty face
not my cup of tea
not playing with a full deck
not rowing with both oars
Not the brightest bulb (in the box / on the tree / in the chandelier),
Not the ghost of a chance.
Not the sharpest knife in the cabinet.
not worth a hill of beans
Nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Nothing is impossible for those who don’t have to do it themselves. (Swedish)
nothing new under the sun
Nothing personal,
Nothing succeeds like success.
nothing to fear but fear itself
nothing to sneeze at
Nothing to write home about
Nothing up my sleeve
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Now is the winter of our discontent
now or never
now this won’t hurt a bit
now’s as good a time as any
now’s your chance
numb as a hake
nutty as a fruitcake

O

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
O Ye, of Little Faith
Object of desire
Odds Bodkins
Off and running
Off like a prom dress!
off the cuff
Off the dime
Off the hook
Off the record
Off the shelf
off the top of my head
Off With His Head
Off your rocker
oh, to be a fly on the wall
oh, woe is me
Okey-Dokey
Old as dirt
old as the hills
Old ball and chain
old blowhard
Old Fogey
old habits die hard
Old school
old standby
On a good footing
On a hiding to nothing
On a lark
On a roll
On a short leash
On a soap box
on a wild goose chase
On a wing and a prayer
on bended knee,
On Carey Street
on cloud nine,
on equal footing
on him like ugly on an ape
On par
On pins and needles
On Queer Street
On skid row
On tenterhooks
On the back burner
On the ball
On the cutting edge
On the dole
On the dot
on the double
on the edge of your seat
On the fly
On the front burner
On the grapevine
on the house
On the Lam
On the level
On the make
on the other hand
On the QT
On the road again
on the run
On the same page
On the take
On the tip of my tongue
On the up and up
On the wagon
On the warpath
on the whole
on to something
On your tod
On your toes
once bitten, twice shy
once in a blue moon,
Once in a blue moon
once in a dog’s age
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.
One bad apple spoils the (whole) barrel / bushel / lot / bunch.
one brick short of a load
One foot on a banana peel, the other in the grave.
One for the books
One for the road
one good turn deserves another
One in million
one man’s foul weather is another man’s fair
One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.
one man’s meat is another man’s poison
one size fits all
One small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind.
One Stop Shop
one taco short of a combination plate
one toe over the line
One-Hit Wonder
One’s Heart’s Content
Oops-a-daisy
open a can of worms
open and shut case
open mouth, closed mind/ears
Open Season
Open the kimono
opened a can of worms
opportunity doesn’t knock twice
opposites attract
out for a Sunday stroll
out like a light
Out of gas
Out of pocket
Out of sight, out of mind
Out of sorts
out of the blue
Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Out of the jaws of death
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
Out of the woods
Out of whack
Out sowing your wild oats
Out to lunch
out with the old, in with the new
Over a barrel
over and done with
Over and over again
Over my head
over the edge
over the hill
over the moon
over the top

P

pack it in
packing heat
packing lead
Paddle your own canoe.
pain in the ass / neck / butt
paint oneself into a corner
paint the town red
pan out
Pandora’s box
paper over the cracks
paper tiger
par for the course
pardon my French
part and parcel
parting shot
pass away
pass on
pass the buck
pass the hat
passed with flying colors
pat on the back
path of least resistance
patience is a virtue
pay a king’s ransom
pay an arm and a leg
pay as you go
pay attention to details
pay lip service
pay the debt of nature
pay the piper
pay through the nose
payback is a b#tch
peaches and cream complexion
pearls before swine
pears for your heirs
peas in a pod
peel (back) the onion
peel out
peeping Tom
pell-mell
pencil it / you / me in
pennies from heaven
penny for your thoughts
penny pincher
Penny saved is a penny earned.
Penny wise and pound foolish.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Perception becomes reality.
pester power
petered out
Phone it in
Physician, heal thyself.
pick and mix
pick of the litter
pick over the ruins
pick the low-hanging fruit
picture perfect
Picture’s worth a thousand words.
pie in the sky
piece of cake
pig and whistle
pig in a poke
pig out
pigeon-chested
pig’s ear
pin money
pin your hopes on something
pipe down
pipe dream
piping hot
piss like a racehorse
pissed to the gills
pissing in the wind
piss-poor
plain and simple
plain as day
plain sailing
play ball
play both ends against the middle
play by ear
play fast and loose
Play for the name on the front of your jersey, not the name on the back of your jersey.
play hot potato
Play it again, Sam.
play it by ear
play second fiddle to
play the cards you’re dealt
play the final card
play the giddy goat
play with the big boys
played me for a fool
playing hardball
playing possum
playing the field
playing with fire
pleased as punch
Plenty of other fish in the sea.
plenty to go ’round
poison the well
poker face
Poor as a church mouse.
pop a vein
pop goes the weasel
POSH — Port out, starboard home
Possession is nine-tenths of the law.
pot calling the kettle black
Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
pound for pound
pound of flesh
pound the pavement
pour it on thick
pour oil on trouble waters
Power corrupts: Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
power dressing
powers of darkness
practice makes perfect
pray to the porcelain god
praying at the porcelain altar
preaching to the choir
press into service
pretty as a picture
pretty damn quick
pretty penny
prick up your ears
pride before the fall
prime time
primed to the sticking point
primrose path
propped up
pull a fast one
pull a rabbit out of a hat
pull out all the stops
pull the wool over your eyes
pull your chain
pull your finger out
pull your head out of your ass
pull yourself up by your bootstraps
punch his lights out
punched in the gut
pure as the driven snow
push the envelope
push your buttons
put a cork in it
put a lid on it
put a little elbow grease into it
put a sock in it
put it through its paces,
put my two cents in
put on ice
put on your thinking cap
put out some feelers
put paid to
put that in your pipe and smoke it
put the cart before the horse
put the dampers on
put the pedal to the metal
put to death
put two and two together
put up your feet and stay awhile
put your back up
put your best foot forward
put your foot in your mouth
put your heart into it
put your money where your mouth is
put your nose out of joint
putting his feet to the fire
putting the cart before the horse
putting the screws to him
Pyrrhic victory

Q

queen for a day
queer as a three dollar bill
quick buck
quicker than a New York minute
quiet as a (church) mouse
Quit horsing around!
quit while you’re ahead

R

rack and ruin
rack your brains
Rag, Tag and Bobtail
raining cats and dogs
raining stair-rods
raise the bar
raise the roof
raking in the dough
raking it in
rally round
rattle trap
rattle your cage
raw end of the deal
raze to the ground
read between the lines
read it and weep
Read the fine print
read the handwriting on the wall
Reading the riot act
Real McCoy
Red carpet treatment
red herring
Red in Tooth and Claw
Red Letter Day
Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning; red sky at night, sailor’s delight.
Reeking havoc
Religion is the opium of the people.
reopen an old wound
rest assured
resting on one’s laurels
Rhyme or reason
Richard of York gave battle in vain.
riding the wild pony
right as rain
right on the button
right on the money
right on the nose
right up your alley
Ring a bell
Ring A Ring o’roses, a pocketful of posies, atishoo, atishoo, all fall down.
ring in the new year
Ring of truth
Ring the changes
rise and shine,
Road less traveled
Road to hell is paved (on all sides) with good intentions
roaring fire
robbing Peter to pay Paul
Roll of the dice
roll out the red carpet
roll over in his grave
roll with the punches
rolling in the dough
(a) rolling stone gathers no moss
Rome wasn’t built in a day
room to swing a cat
rotten to the core
rough around the edges
rough as a cob
rub salt in the wound
rub your nose (face) in it
rubbing salt in his wounds
rubs me the wrong way
rule with an iron fist
rules are made to be broken
run a mile
run amok
run circles around
run for your money
run it up the flagpole (and see who salutes it)
run like the wind
run out of steam
run the gauntlet
run with the fox and bark with the hounds
running around like a chicken with its head cut off
running with wolves
runs like a top

S

sacred cow
safe and sound
sail / ride off into the sunset
salad days
same ol’ same ol’
same song and dance
Save the drama for your mama.
Save your breath
Saved by the bell
Savoir Faire
sawing a log
say what you will, ….
say your prayers
scarce as hen’s teeth
Scared dogs bark most. (Swedish)
scared of his own shadow
scared stiff
scaredy-cat
scattered to the four winds
scot free
scraping the bottom of the barrel
screaming bloody murder
Scuse me while I kiss this guy.
Sealed with a Loving Kiss
second wind
see a man about a dog
see eye to eye
see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil
see the glass as half empty
see the light
see the whole field
see the world through rose colored glasses
see which way the winds blow
see you later, alligator
seeing red
seems just like old times
sell out (sold out)
sell yourself short
send packing
sent to Coventry
separate the men from the boys
separate the wheat from the chaff
serve up a softball
set one’s cap at
set your teeth on edge
seven-year itch
sh#t or get off the pot
sh#t out of luck
shaggy dog story
shake a leg
shake hands with the wife’s best friend
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
shape up or ship out
share and share alike
sharp as a marble
sharp as a tack
she could test the patience of Job
she drinks like a fish
she fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down
she gave me a withering glance
she got called up on the carpet
she has a great personality
she has a green thumb
she has bats in her belfry
she has everything but the kitchen sink
she has pull (clout)
she is a loose cannon
she threw a wet blanket on my idea
she wears her heart on her sleeve
she wouldn’t know me from Adam
shed (some) light on
She’s a peach,
she’s ALL THAT
she’s an open book
she’s been hit with an ugly stick
she’s burning her candle at both ends
she’s fighting a losing battle
she’s getting the red carpet treatment
she’s got eyes in the back of her head
she’s got money to burn
she’s hot to trot
she’s in hot water
she’s lost her marbles
she’s not the brightest bulb on the patio
she’s not the only fish in the sea
she’s out sowing her wild oats
she’s out to lunch
she’s taking the bait
she’s tugging on your chain
shilly-shally
ship-shape and Bristol fashion
shirt off his back
shit for brains
shit happens
shiver me timbers
shoe is on the other foot
shoestring budget
shoot from the hip
shoot it straight
shoot the breeze
shoot yourself in the foot
shooting for the moon
short changed
short end of the stick
Short pleasures are often long regretted. (Swedish)
short shrift
shot across the bows
shot in the dark
shotgun wedding
shove off
show him the door
Show me the money!
show some spine / spunk
show them how the cow ate the cabbage
show your true colors
shuffle off this mortal coil
shut the hole in your head
shut up
shut your hole / cake-hole / mouth
sick as a dog
sick to death of it
signed, sealed and delivered
silence is golden
silenced the crowd
silly Billy
silver bullet
simple pleasures are the best
sing for your supper
sing like a bird
sink or swim
sink your teeth into
sit tight
sitting duck
sitting in the catbird seat
sitting on pins and needles
sitting on the fence
six of one, half a dozen of another
six feet under
skating on thin ice
skeletons in the closet
skid row
slam dunk
slap on the back
sleep like a baby
sleep like a log
sleep with the fishes
sleeping her way to the top
slick as snot on a glass doorknob
slipped through your fingers
slippery as an eel
slippery slope
sloppy as a soup sandwich
slow and steady wins the race
slow as molasses in January
sly as a fox
smack dab in the middle
small potatoes
Small world, isn’t it?
smart Alec
smart ass
smart cookies don’t crumble
Smart is better than stupid.
smarter than the average bear
smell (a little) ripe
smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone
smoke and mirrors
smoking gun
smooth as a baby’s bottom
smooth operator
(a) snail’s pace
snowball’s chance in hell
snug as a bug in a rug
so close, you can taste it
so many men so little time
so much bad in the best of us and so much good in the worst in us that it ill-behoves us to talk about the rest of us
so much for that
so quiet you could hear a pin drop
so sue me
So ugly, they’d have to sneak up on a glass of water to get a drink.
sod off
sold down the river
solid as a rock (the rock of Gibraltar)
some pots you don’t stir
some things are better left unsaid
someday, you will thank me for this
something rotten in the state of Denmark
something smells fishy
something you can really sink your teeth into
Sometimes you are the hydrant, and sometimes you are the dog.
Sometimes you are the windshield, and sometimes you are the bug.
sometimes you just gotta let your hair down
son of a b#tch
son of a gun
sound like a broken record
sounds like a plan
sour grapes
spare the rod, spoil the child
speak of the devil
speak off the cuff
speak softly and carry a big stick
speak with a forked tongue
speaking in riddles
special relationship
spend a penny
spick and span
spill the beans
spin a yarn
spineless wimp
spinning your wheels
Spit in one hand and wish in the other, and see which one you have the most in.
spit the dummy (Australian)
spitting image
split second
splitting hairs
spoil the fun
spread the word
spruce up
square meal
squeaky bum time
stack the deck
stand and deliver
standing on the shoulders of giants
stand-up guy
star-crossed lovers
staring off into space/nowhere
stark-raving mad
start from scratch
state of the art
stay tuned
stayed too long at the fair
staying power
steal a march
steal one’s thunder
stealing the show
steer clear of it
stem the tide
step on a crack, break your mother’s back
step on it
stepping on people’s toes
stick a fork in it (him, me)
stick in the mud
stick it in your ear
stick it out
stick it to you
stick it where the sun don’t shine
stick to your guns
stick up for the little guy
stick with it
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
sticks out like a sore thumb
sticky subject
stiff as a board
stiffen the sinews
still as a church mouse
still waters run deep
stinking to high heaven
stir up an ant’s nest
stirring up trouble
(a) stitch in time saves nine
Stone the crows!
(a) stone’s throw away
stop and smell the roses
stop on a dime
Stop the presses!
stow it
straight and narrow
straight as an arrow
straight from the horses mouth
straighten up and fly right
strain at the leash
stranger danger
stranger in a strange land
stress out
stretch a dollar
strike while the iron is hot
string him along
strong as an ox
stubborn as a mule
stuck in a rut
stuck out like a sore thumb
stuff and nonsense
stuffed shirt
stump up
stupid is as stupid does
success has a thousand fathers while failure is an orphan
such is life
suck up
sugarcoat something
survival of the fittest
suspension of disbelief
swallow one’s pride
swan song
sweat the details
sweating blood
sweating like a pig
sweep it under the rug
sweet 16 and never been kissed
sweet deal
sweeten the pot
sweetheart deal
swim against the tide
swim up stream
swim with the sharks
swimming in molasses
swing the lead,

T

tackle my homework
Tail between his legs
Tail wagging the dog
Take a back seat to
Take a breather
Take a dive
Take a dump
take a hike
Take a leak
take a long walk off a short plank
Take a picture, it will last longer
Take a step back
Take by storm
Take care of your knitting
Take down a peg or two,
Take five
take him to task
take it and run with it
take it at face value
take it easy
take it from me
take it like a man
take it on the lam
take it or leave it
take it to the limit,
Take it with a grain of salt
Take one for the team
Take Potluck
Take someone down a peg
Take stock of
Take the bit between your teeth
Take the bull by the horns
Take the crowd out of the game
Take the day off
Take the easy way out
Take the gloves off
Take the guilt off the gingerbread
Take the Mickey
Take the plunge
Take the wind out of your sails
Take the world by storm
take this job and shove it
Take umbrage
Take with a pinch of salt
take your fate into your own hands
Take your life in your own hands
Taken aback
Taken for a ride
takes its toll on you
taking his pound of flesh
taking the scenic route
talk of the Devil
talk to the hand
talk until you are blue in the face
talking behind his back
talking out of your head
tall, dark and handsome,
tall tale
tarred and feathered
Taste of your own medicine
Teach him to fish
teacher’s pet
tear into it
Tear you a new #sshole
Teflon President
Tell a porkie
Tell it to me straight
Tell It to the marines
Tell your story walking
tempest in a teacup
Ten to one
Tend the garden
Test the waters
testing one’s mettle
thank God it’s Friday
Thank goodness
Thank your lucky stars
That and a quarter will get you a cup of coffee
that argument doesn’t hold water
that baby runs like a scalded dog
that burns me up
that chaps my hide
That dog won’t hunt
that gets my goat
that hits the spot
That’s all, folks
That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
that oughta tide you over
that really brings it home
That sucks!
That takes the cake
that was cold-blooded
That which does not kill you makes you stronger.
that’ll be the day
That’s a doozy
That’s a joke
That’s a load off my mind
that’s a real stem-winder
that’s a wrap
that’s about the size of it
That’s bogus
that’s easy for you to say
that’s enough to piss off the Pope
That’s for the birds
That’s how the cow eats the cabbage
that’s icing on the cake
that’s it in a nutshell
that’s just like the pot calling the kettle black
That’s just peachy
that’s just the tip of the iceberg
that’s like a turtle on a fence post
That’s no joke
that’s old hat
that’s par for the course
that’s pretty run-of-the-mill
that’s rubber on the side of the road
that’s skull duggery
that’s some ole good
that’s the $64,000 question
that’s the long and short of it
That’s the ticket
that’s the way lady luck dances
that’s the way the ball bounces
that’s the way the cookie crumbles
that’s the whole ball of wax
that’s water under the bridge
the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree
The back of beyond
The balance of power
The bee’s knees
the belle of the ball
the best thing since little apples
The best things in life are free
The Big Apple
The Big Cheese
The Big Easy
the bigger they are the harder they fall
the bitter end
the blind leading the blind
the bomb
the bottom line
the bowels of the earth
The bread of life
the buck stops here
the butler did it
the call of the wild
The camera cannot lie
the cat’s meow
the cat’s pajamas
the cat’s whiskers
The chickens come home to roost
The cold shoulder
The collywobbles
The course of true love never did run smooth
The Crack of Doom
the cream of the crop
The customer is always right
The cut of your jib
The darkest hour is just before the dawn
The darling buds of May
The Devil Incarnate
the devil is always ready to rock the cradle of the saint who sleeps
the devil is in the details
the devil made me do it
the devil must be beating his wife
The Devil takes the hindmost
The Devil to pay
The Die has been cast
the dog ate my homework
The early bird catches the worm
The elephant in the room
the exception that proves the rule
the eyes are the mirrors (windows) of (to) the soul
The face that launched a thousand ships
The female of the species is more deadly than the male
the fickle finger of fate
the fifth Beatle
the floozie in the jacuzzi
the fly in the ointment
the Full Monty
the game is afoot
the game is up
the girl next door
the gospel truth
the grass is always greener on the other side
the Great Unwashed
the greatest thing since sliced bread
the Hairy Eyeball
the hand that rocks the cradle
the Heebie-Jeebies
the last straw
the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
the light’s on but nobody’s home
the living daylights
the long arm of the law
the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away
the lord moves in mysterious ways
the love that dare not speak its name
the lowest on the totem pole
the luck of the draw
the melting pot
the more the merrier
the more things change, the more they stay the same
the more we learn, the less we know
The moving finger writes,
The mutt’s nuts,
the nail that sticks up gets pounded down (Japanese)
The naked truth
the night is young and so are we
The Nth degree,
the old ball and chain
the one that got away
the only difference between women and girls is the price of their pearls
the only people I trust are you and me, and I am not too sure about you!
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself
The Order of The Boot
the pen is mightier than the sword
The penny drops
the pick of the litter
the place was crawling with cops
The pot calling the kettle black
The Powers That Be
the proof is in the pudding
the quiet before the storm
The Real McCoy
The road less travelled
The road to ruin / hell is paved with good intentions.
The Seven-Year Itch
the shoe’s on the other foot
the show must go on
the sky’s the limit
the squeaky wheel gets the grease
the straw that broke the camel’s back
the stronger the breeze the stronger the trees
the strongest steel is cast in the hottest fire
The strongest winds blow on the highest mountains. (Swedish)
the tables are turned
the tail that wagged the dog
the tale of the tape
The Third Degree
the tide’s beginning to turn
The Triumph of hope over experience
the truth hurts
the twilight years
The Unkindest Cut of All
The Usual Suspects
the whole kit and caboodle
The Whole Nine Yards
The Whole Shebang,
the whole shootin’ match,
The World is Your Oyster
The Writing is on the wall
The Year Dot
The Yellow Peril
them’s fightin’ words
there are starving children in Africa
There are three kinds of lies.
there for the taking
There is a god
There is more than one way to skin a cat
There is no alternative
There is no cow on the ice
There is no I in team
There is no such thing as a free lunch
There is no time like the present
There now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?
there ought to be a law against that
There, but for the grace of God, go I,
There’ll be hell to pay
there’s a first time for everything
there’s a God and I’m not him
There’s a sucker born every minute,
There’s An R in the month
There’s gold in them thar hills
there’s more than one way to skin a cat
there’s more where that came from
there’s no place like home
there’s no such thing as a free lunch
There’s no time like the present,
there’s one in every crowd,
there’s something fishy about that
there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you
They can’t buy a basket/run/score
they gave him carte blanche
They need to take care of the rock,
They play good D
they threw the book at him
they’re getting hitched
they’re jumping the broomstick
they’re like two peas in a pod
Thick and Thin
Thick as a brick
Thick as a ditch
Thick as pea soup
Thick headed
thin as six o’clock
things are not always as they seem
Things aren’t what they used to be
Things that go bump in the night
Think like a man, act like a woman
Think outside the box
Thinking with the wrong head
Third time’s a charm
Third Time Lucky
Third wheel
Thirty thousand (30,000) foot level
this could be the start of something big
this hurts me worse than it does you
this is for the birds
this town’s not big enough for the two of us
Thorn in my side
Those who do not look back from where they come from, will not reach their destination
Thou Shalt Not Kill
Though this be madness, yet there is method in it.
Three-score years and ten
three sheets to the wind
Three Strikes and you are out
threw a curve ball
Threw it with a little something on it
threw up my hands (in concession/in disgust)
Through thick and thin
Throw (toss) me a bone,
Throw (toss) me some scraps,
Throw (Toss) your hat in the ring
throw a fit
Throw a monkey wrench into the works
Throw cold water on
Throw down
Throw gas (gasoline) on the fire
throw in the towel
Throw someone to the wolves
Throw the baby out with the bathwater
Throw the book at him
Throw your hat into the ring
throwing caution to the wind
throwing out the baby with the bathwater
Thumb your nose at
Thumbs up
Ticked Off
tickle the ivories,
Tickled pink
Tie the knot
Tied to her apron strings
tied up right now
Tight as a drum
Tight as the bark on a tree
Tight wad
Tighten your belt
Tighter than a gnat’s ass
Till the cows come home
Tilting at windmills
Timber!
Time after time
Time and again
Time and Tide wait for no man
time flies when you’re having fun
time heals all wounds
time is money
time is of the essence
Time is running out
time is up
Time of your life
Time on your hands
Time out
time stands still
time to pay the piper
time waits for no man
time will tell
time-honored
Time’s up
Times, they are a changing
timing is everything
tin ear
tingling with anticipation
tit for tat,
Tits-Up
To a T
to assume makes an ASS out of U and ME
To badger someone
To be beside yourself
To be fed up
To be honest with you
To be or not to be
to be young and foolish,
to beat the band,
To boldly go where no man has gone before,
To boot
To cast the first stone
To chance your arm
To close ranks
to cry wolf
to each his own
To egg on
to err is human, to forgive divine
To fall foul
to feather your nest,
To fork out,
To go the whole hog,
To harp on,
To have a Field Day,
To have a Gammy Leg,
To have Cold Feet,
To hedge One’s Bets,
To hell in a hand basket,
To Knock (or beat) the tar out of
To Know Beans,
To Lark About,
to lie down with lions
to live from hand to mouth
To play Hookey
To run Amok
To save one’s bacon
To shoot the Crow
To skin a Cat
To take aback,
To talk gibberish
to tell you the truth
To the bitter end
To the manner born,
To the Nth degree,
To the victor go the spoils,
To toy with,
To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive,
To wreak havock
Today is the first day of the rest of your life,
toe the line
Toe-curling
Tomorrow is another day
Tongue in cheek
Tongue lashing
Tongue tied
Too many chefs spoil the broth (soup),
Too many chiefs and not enough Indians,
too many cooks spoil the broth
Too much information (TMI)
Too much of a good thing,
Too much sail for a small craft
Too rich for my blood
Toodle-oo
took me to the cleaners
took off like a bat out of hell
took off like a shot
Toot his own horn
tooth and nail
Top dog
Top drawer
Top notch
top of the morning
Topsy Turvy
Tore up from the floor up
torn asunder
Toss your cookies
Touch and go
Touchy-Feely
tow the line
train of thought
Tread lightly
treated like a dog
tried and true
Trip over your tongue
trip the light fantastic
Trojan horse,
trouble with a capital `T’
Truth is stranger than fiction.
Truth will out
try as I might
try your hand at something
trying to put a square peg in a round hole
Tuckered out
Tugging at heartstrings
Tune out
turn a blind eye
Turn on a dime
turn over a new leaf
turn the other cheek
Turn the tables
Turn up trumps
Twelve good men and true
twice as nice
twice as strong as an ox and half as smart
twiddling your thumbs
Twist my arm
twist of fate
Two-faced
Two heads are better than one
Two left feet
Two ships passing in the night
Two cents’ worth
two left feet
two of a kind
two sides of the same coin
two wrongs don’t make a right
two’s company, three’s a crowd

U

U is part of US
Ugly as a hat full of holes
ugly as a mud fence
ugly as sin
unbeknownst to me/him
Under a microscope
Under her thumb
under my skin
Under my wing
under the gun
Under the knife
under the sauce
under the table
under the weather
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes
unlucky at cards, lucky in love
Until the cows come home
Up a blind alley
Up a creek without a paddle
Up a gum tree
Up for grabs
Up in arms
Up sh#t creek
Up the ante
Up the Creek without a paddle
Up the duff
up to his ears in trouble
Up to snuff
Uphill battle
Upper crust
Upper hand,
Ups-a-Daisy,
Upset the apple cart
upsy-daisy/oopsy-daisy
Urban myth
Useless as tits on a boar hog
Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut

Find more great editing tips in our Self-Editing School series:

V

variety is the spice of life

W

wait and see
wait for the ink to dry
waiting for the dust to settle
waiting for the other shoe to drop
waiting for your ship to come in
waiting in the wings
waiting with baited breath
wake the dead
wake up and smell the coffee
wake up living
wake-up call
waking up on the wrong side of the bed
waking up with the chickens
walk on the wild side
walk softly and carry a big stick
walk the plank
walking on air
walking on eggshells
walking on sunshine
walled garden
walls have ears
walls start closing in
want my place in the sun
warts and all
wash your hands of something
wash your mouth out with soap
washed up
waste not, want not
wasted
watch and wait
watch your mouth
watched pot never boils
watching the clock
water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink
wave the white flag
way to a man’s heart is through his stomach
Way to go, Einstein!
we are not amused
we few, we happy few, we band of brothers
we have seen better days
we know where you live
wear many hats
wear the trousers
wear your heart on your sleeve
wearing nothin’ but his birthday suit
wearing the big girlie blouse (Australian)
weasel words
weather the storm
welcome to my world
welcome to the club
We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Well, how do you like them apples?
We’ll jump that fence when we get to it.
went belly up
went over like a lead balloon
went storming off in a huff
went through the roof
we’re going to burn the midnight oil
we’re gonna tie one on tonight
we’re not in Kansas anymore
we’re really going to town
we’re sitting ducks
Were you born in a barn?
Were you raised by wolves?
Wet behind the ears.
we’ve hit paydirt
Wham, bam, thank you ma’am.
What a blast!
What a duck!
what a piece of work is man
what a tangled web we weave
what a way to go
What am I, chopped liver?
What are you like?
What are you stewing about?
What are you? Chicken?
What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
What goes around comes around.
What goes up, must come down.
What in tarnation?
What’s not to like?
What’s the skinny?
What’s up Doc?
What on earth is wrong with me?
What part of «no» don’t you understand?
What rock did you crawl out from under?
what you see is what you get
whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
whatever floats your boat
whatever tickles your fancy
whatever turns you on
what’s a little __ among friends
What’s cookin’, good lookin’?
What’s going down?
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
What’s he been smoking?
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other smells just as sweet.
What’s up with that?
What’s wrong with this picture?
When all is said and done
when hell freezes over
When in Rome, do as Romans do.
when it comes to the crunch
When it rains, it pours.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,
when pigs fly
when push comes to shove
when the cat’s away, the mouse will play
when the chips are down
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
When the lion is dead, the hares jump on his back. (Swedish)
when the shit hits the fan
when the tide goes out the rocks begin to show
when you lie with dogs, you catch fleas
when you start picking out people you start leaving people out
Where do you draw the line?
where the rubber meets the road
where there is muck there’s brass
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Where’s the beef?
whet your appetite
Whew!
while away the hours
While the tailor rests, the needle rusts. (Swedish)
While you live, tell truth and shame the Devil!
whipping boy
whistle down the wind
whistle for it
whistle in the dark
white as a sheet
white bread
white elephant
white knuckle ride
who could forget
Who died and left you in charge?
Who died and made him king (God)?
Who pissed in your Cheerios?
Whoever dies with the most toys wins.
(the) whole nine yards
whole shootin’ match
whoop it up
whoops-a-daisy
Who’s the man?
Why buy the cow when the milk is free?
Why close the barn door after the horse is gone?
Why do today what you can put off ’til tomorrow?
Why don’t we all chip in?
Why on God’s green Earth?
widow’s peak
wig out
wild and woolly
wild goose chase
Will miracles/wonders never cease?
willy-nilly
win hands down
win one for the gipper
wing and a prayer
wing it
winning combination
winning isn’t everything
wipe the slate clean
wish on a star
wish you were here
wishy washy
witch hunt
with a grain of salt
with bated breath
with one hand tied behind my back
with tongue firmly planted in cheek
woe is me
(a) wolf in sheep’s clothing
Women and children first!
wool gathering
word for word
work into a lather
work like a dog
work the crowd
work the room
work to a deadline
Work your fingers to the bone.
worker bee
working my last good nerve
world of hurt
world of trouble
world on a string
world weary
(the) worm has turned
worry wart
worth its salt
Worth its weight in gold.
worthless as tits on a boar
wouldn’t touch with a barge-pole
wouldn’t kick her (him) outta bed for eatin’ crackers
Wound tighter than a spring.
wrong end of the stick
wrong side of the tracks

Y

yank your chain
you ain’t seen nothin’ yet
you bet your boots
you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar
you can dish it out, but you sure can’t take it
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.
you can lead a horticulture, but you can’t make her think
you can never be too rich or too blonde
you can never go home again
You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose.
you can say that again
you can take that to the bank
you can tell the men from the boys by the price of their toys
You cannot judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes / moccasins / boots.
you can’t fit a square peg in a round hole
you can’t have your cake and eat it too
you can’t judge a book by its cover
You can’t learn to swim without getting in the water. (Swedish)
You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
you can’t put anything past her
You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.
you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip
You can’t stop him. You can only hope to contain him.
you can’t swing a dead cat
you can’t take it with you
you can’t take knickers off a bare arse
you can’t teach an old dog new tricks
you could have knocked me over with a feather
you could put your eye out
you don’t have a leg to stand on
you don’t miss the water till the well runs dry
you drive me crazy
you drive me nuts
you drive me up the wall
you got it coming to you
you got your just deserves (desserts)
you got your just desserts
you gotta put your foot down
you have to break a few eggs to make an omelette
you have to separate the chaff from the wheat
you have to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything
you hit the nail on the head
you lie like a dog
you lie like a rug
you lost me
you made your bed, now your gonna have to lie in it
You make a better door than a window.
you must be out of your mind
You must crawl before you can walk.
You must row with the oars that you have. (Swedish)
you only hurt the one you love
you only live once
you reap what you sow
you say potayto, I say potahto
You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.
You snooze, you loose.
You throw filth on the living and flowers on the dead. (Swedish)
you wash my back, I’ll wash yours
you win some you lose some
you’ll know it when you see it
young loins
young, dumb and full of rum
your ass is grass
Your father wasn’t a glass maker.
Your goose is cooked.
your name is mud
your place or mine
you’re a good egg
you’re all wet
you’re dead meat
you’re driving me insane
you’re going to get it
you’re off your rocker
you’re the gleam in your father’s eye
you’ve got (a) nerve
you’ve got more front than Myers

Z

zigged when he should have zagged
Zip it!
zip your lip
(what a) zoo

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Источник

Etymology[edit]

Usage[edit]

Thought-terminating cliché[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Definition of Cliché

Common Examples of Cliché in Everyday Speech

Examples of Movie Lines that Have Become Cliché

Famous Examples of Cliché in Creative Writing

Writing Cliché

Shakespeare and Cliches

Cliches and Archetypes, Tropes and Idioms

Two Major Type of Cliches: Thought Terminating Cliches and Platitude

Use of Cliché in Sentences

Examples of Cliché in Literature

Example 1: An Essay on Criticism by Alexander Pope

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

Example 3: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Synonyms of Cliché

Cliché: Definition

The Origin of the Word

Phrases Considered to Be «Cliches»

Do Not Overuse Cliches

Examples of the Word «Cliché» Used in Sentences

Difference Between Cliches and Idioms

Conclusion

What is an example of a cliche?

What is the meaning of cliche in a sentence?

What is the opposite of cliche?

What is a cliche person?

Are cliches bad?

How do you identify a cliche?

What is cliche give two examples?

When should I use the word cliche?

How do you replace a cliche?

What makes a cliche a cliche?

How do you stop a cliche?

What are 10 cliches?

Are idioms and cliches the same?

How do you make a cliche?

What is a romantic cliche?

How does cliche affect communication?

What is cliche in communication?

What is the most overused phrase?

What is the difference between cliche and stereotype?

What is the synonym of cliche?

What is cliche much?

When should you avoid clichés?

What is a cliché?

Cliché pronunciation, synonyms, and origin

Cliché examples

What does cliché mean to a writer?

How to find clichés in your writing?

1. Read your draft out loud

2. Get some help

3. Reread to identify generality

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

5. Find out if you’re using a metaphor

6. Keep special check on introductions and conclusions

7. Keep a list of common clichés with you

List of common clichés

More resources

Where do we use cliche?

What is an example of a cliche?

Why is cliche used?

What does it mean to cliche?

Is cliche good or bad?

What are cliches give two examples?

Who is a cliche person?

What is the effect of clichés?

What are the types of cliches?

How do you know if its a cliche?

Can a person be a cliche?

How do you use cliche in a sentence?

Why should we avoid clichés?

Is cliche a figure of speech?

What is an empty cliché?

What are examples of euphemism?

What is a cliche story?