Have you ever had someone say that’s a bit cliché, and not been a hundred percent sure what they mean? If so, then you’ve come to the perfect place. In this article you will learn what a cliché is, what it means when something is described as cliché, and why clichés are so often frowned upon.
We will go through 15 different quick examples of clichés, and compare them with alternative phrases, to help you get a feel for what sort of phrases count as cliches, and which ones don’t.
I’m going to level with here, telling a regular phrase from a cliché can be tricky, and it’s notoriously hard to know when something is a little too cliché and when it’s not. But hopefully, this article will put you on the right track. (That’s not a cliché by the way!)
And without further ado, let’s jump straight in.
What is a cliché? Why don’t people like clichés?
A cliché is an overused phrase. People don’t always like clichés because they are so overused.
Clichés are often generalisations, and as such, they lack specificity, and hence provide inadequate evidence to back up your argument. This is especially important in academic essays, and in formal writing such as legal contracts.
Other times, clichés are considered meaningless platitudes, and are occasionally used when someone should instead be paying attention and showing genuine empathy. You must be sure to avoid using clichés in sensitive topics. When addressing serious issues, clichés can trivialise the subject matter and come across as insincere or dismissive.
Overused phrases are often considered ineffective because of their widespread use, and seen as pithy throw-away comments.
People often remark that clichés are unimaginative and show a lack of original thought. They’re the worst enemy of creative writers who want to write something that’s too easily portrayed by a cliche.
15 Examples of clichés, their meanings, and alternative phrases you can use
Meaning: There are many more potential partners out there.
Alternative: There are many other nice ones out there.
Meaning: Don’t judge something based on appearance alone.
Alternative: Look below the surface.
Meaning: What you do is more important than what you say.
Alternative: If you really feel that way you would do something about it.
Meaning: You must work hard to reach your goals.
Alternative: Success more often than not requires hard work.
Meaning: Ultimately.
Alternative: In conclusion.
Meaning: Not under any circumstances.
Alternative: Of course not.
- The path of least resistance.
Meaning: The easiest possible way.
Alternative: The most energy efficient and cost effective option
- Fit for purpose
Meaning: Suitable
Alternative: Perfectly suited
Meaning: If someone treats other people badly he or she will eventually be treated badly by someone else. You should not mistreat people.
Alternative: It’s time to pay the piper, a day of reckoning.
- Move the needle.
Meaning: Make progress.
Alternative: Improved slightly.
- Like a kid in a candy store.
Meaning: To be very happy and excited about the things around you, and often react to them in a way that is silly and not controlled.
Alternative: Like a blind dog in a meat market.
Meaning: A light-hearted question addressed to someone who is inexplicably silent.
Alternative: Have I stunned you into silence?
- At the speed of light
Meaning: Very quickly.
Alternative: In a nanosecond, without hesitation.
Meaning: Other people’s situations always seem better than one’s own.
Alternative: You need to appreciate your own circumstances.
Meaning: A response given when someone criticises another for a fault that they also have themselves.
Alternative: You’re one to talk – you’re worse than me!
Types of cliché
Here’s a quick summary of the four main types of clichés, with examples.
Verbal clichés
A verbal cliché is a banal word or figure of speech. Examples include:
- Crystal clear
- Did I mention that…
- Needless to say
Conceptual clichés
A conceptual cliché is an overused plot device, character stereotype, etc in a creative work. Examples include:
- They all lived happily ever after
- It was all a dream
- Wise old wizard
Opaque clichés
An opaque cliché may not make sense because the literal meaning has very little to do with the intended meaning. Examples include:
- She’s a bag of bones
- Elephant in the room
- A can of worms
Transparent clichés
A transparent cliché shows some similarity between the literal and the intended meaning. Examples include:
Context-driven clichés
Some clichés can be interpreted differently based on their context. For instance, if someone says ‘Do you think I’m made of money?’ it means something different depending on the context, specifically if they have just spent a lot of money or if they are being asked to spend a lot of money.
Interpretation-driven clichés
Some clichés are a matter of interpretation. Such as ‘All’s well that ends well’ and ‘All’s fair in love and war’. These are generalisations and as such it’s hard to evaluate them and therefore hard to always agree with.
Thought-terminating clichés
A thought-terminating cliché is a short, dismissive phrase that can shut a discussion down. Examples include:
- That’s just the way it is.
- Boys will be boys.
- You’re either with us or against us
- Take it or leave it.
- Let’s agree to disagree.
Clichés vs other phrases
A cliché is not necessarily distinct from other types of phrases. For instance, a cliché may also be a metaphor, an idiom, a proverb, an adage, or an aphorism.
How and when to use clichés: top tips
Clichés aren’t all bad, and sometimes they can be fun to use, and/or useful.
They’re great for simplifying things, for instance saying ‘no pain, no gain’ in a weight lifting context, or saying ‘don’t judge a book by the cover’ when writing a book review.
Clichés can also be great for creating relatability and understanding because they are so widely recognised and understood. Perfect for conveying a concept quickly, or for bonding with the audience.
Clichés can also add a touch of humour and lightness to a situation, helping to reduce any tension. For example, someone might say ‘Better late than never’ when they have turned up late for something important.
Clichés are particularly useful for advertising and marketing because they tend to be very catchy and memorable, helping the message to stick in people’s minds.
Some clichés are great for connecting with your audience. For instance, when your target audience is generation z or millennials, you may wish to use cliché acronyms such as YOLO and FOMO, or phrases like ‘the struggle is real’. On the other hand, with older generations, you might be more likely to use the phrase ‘back in the day’.
In creative writing, dialogue from a character who is unoriginal might use clichés. You can also use clichés ironically in an non-sincere way, or change some of the words to make them more relevant or entertaining. Used in this way, the cliché becomes a literary device.
Sometimes, using a cliché to describe something is a much easier option to use because of their ability to express a universal truth in such a simple and effective way. They can often encapsulate complex ideas in a way that is easy for anyone to understand.
FAQ
What’s another word or phrase for cliché?
There are several words that you can often potentially use in place of the word cliché. For example, many clichés may also be a metaphor, an idiom, a hyperbole, a proverb, an adage, or an aphorism. This is because clichés don’t have to be literal, and there are examples of clichés that run across all these different categories.
How do you identify a cliché?
If you feel like you’ve heard the saying a thousand times before, chances are it is a cliché.
What’s so bad about clichés?
Clichés are overused and they may convey a lack of original thought and/or empathy.
Final word
So, to summarise, a cliché is an overused phrase. Unless you happen to be a native English speaker, you might find it tricky to tell a cliché apart from a regular phrase. Especially since many clichés may also be a metaphor, an idiom, a proverb, an adage, or an aphorism.
Clichés tend to have a bad reputation because they are so overused, and as such, you should avoid using them most of the time, and in some circumstances especially (scroll back up for more detail).
That said, there are also occasions when using clichés can be appropriate or even helpful, as per the section of top tips you read earlier.
And, since a pen is mightier than a sword, tread carefully with this new found knowledge, and feel free to use clichés at your discretion.