cliches
Worn-out stock phrases
Cliches are expressions so overused they've lost their force: avoid clichés like the plague, at the end of the day, it is what it is.
The term extends to any tired idea or predictable element: The movie was full of action-movie clichés.
What begins as vivid language becomes cliché through repetition.
Also spelled without the accent: cliches.
Overused and unoriginal
- triteOverused, lacking freshness
- overusedEmployed too frequently
- platitudeTrite, overused remark
- banalityTiresome lack of originality
stock phrase · worn-out · stale · formulaic · tired expression · boilerplate · bromide · truism
Extremely heavy precipitation
- tip of the icebergVisible portion suggesting hidden mass
- blessing in disguiseApparent misfortune yielding benefit
- hit the nailBe exactly right
- piece of cakeIdiomatic easy task
break the ice · last straw · beat around the bush · bite the bullet · elephant in the room · silver lining · costs an arm and a leg · once in a blue moon
Contrived charming first encounter
- fade to blackGradual dimming ending scene
- slow clapMocking, measured applause
- chosen oneProphesied special individual
- ticking clockClock making sound
love triangle · training montage · last-minute save · dramatic reveal · Wilhelm scream · jump scare · happy ending · villain monologue
Licensed generic photographs
- handshake photoImage of formal greeting
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
- mountain peakTopmost point of elevation
- chain linkConnected metal loop
puzzle pieces · road ahead · bridge building · stepping stones · jigsaw · ladder climbing · hourglass · domino effect
After all considerations
- it is what it isTautological resignation phrase
- low-hanging fruitReadily attainable objectives
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- paradigm shiftWholesale replacement of frameworks
circle back · moving forward · deep dive · bandwidth · pivot · leverage · unpack · touch base
hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal
banality · stock phrase · worn-out · stale · formulaic · tired expression · boilerplate · bromide · truism · chestnut
raining cats and dogs
Extremely heavy precipitation
- tip of the icebergVisible portion suggesting hidden mass
- blessing in disguiseApparent misfortune yielding benefit
- hit the nailBe exactly right
piece of cake · break the ice · last straw · beat around the bush · bite the bullet · elephant in the room · silver lining · costs an arm and a leg · once in a blue moon · spill the beans
meet-cute
Contrived charming first encounter
- fade to blackGradual dimming ending scene
- slow clapMocking, measured applause
- chosen oneProphesied special individual
ticking clock · love triangle · training montage · last-minute save · dramatic reveal · Wilhelm scream · jump scare · happy ending · villain monologue · damsel in distress
stock imagery
Licensed generic photographs
- handshake photoImage of formal greeting
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
- mountain peakTopmost point of elevation
puzzle pieces · chain link · road ahead · bridge building · stepping stones · jigsaw · ladder climbing · hourglass · domino effect · magnifying glass
at the end of the day
After all considerations
- it is what it isTautological resignation phrase
- low-hanging fruitReadily attainable objectives
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
paradigm shift · circle back · moving forward · deep dive · bandwidth · pivot · leverage · unpack · touch base · drill down
- common sayingsproverbs, idioms, maxims, adages, aphorisms
- folk wisdomproverb, folklore, folk sayings, saying, proverbs
- bad writingflat characters, stock characters, derivative work, purple prose, one-dimensional
- rhetorical habitsrepetition, exaggeration, hedging, filler words, qualifying
- writing flawstypos, spelling errors, plot hole, plot holes, awkwardness
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
clichesinnovations
New methods or devices
neologisms · coinages · creative expressions · inventions · breakthroughs
clichesheartfelt words
original thought · spontaneous speech · true feelings · from the heart