A cliché, pronounced klih-SHAY, is a phrase that’s chronically overused to the point of being meaningless.
You’ve heard and read them before. Clichés are phrases like “crystal clear” and “it is what it is.” They’re stock phrases that feel more like filler than effective text and, in most cases, can weaken the writing that uses them. You also might have heard phrases such as “that’s so cliché,” which is actually incorrect—and we’ll discuss why in this post.
Key points about clichés:
- The word “cliché” is a noun.
- A cliché is a phrase, an idea expressed by the phrase, or something (such as a situation) described by it.
- A cliché is not the same as a stereotype or trope.
What is a cliché?
A cliché is a phrase that’s so common, it’s almost meaningless. In some cases, clichés are completely meaningless because they’re overused to the point of becoming detached from their original meaning.
Here are a few examples of clichés:
- Clear as day
- The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
- It is what it is.
- It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Because clichés are so overused and generally meaningless, the term “cliché” has a negative connotation. Beyond describing overused, predictable phrases, it’s evolved to describe situations, plotlines, motifs, and more. For example, you might say a movie has “a cliché plot” or describe a pop song as “so cliché.”
That wouldn’t be quite correct because statements like that should use an adjective, and “cliché” is a noun. However, you could say a movie has a “clichéd plot” or call a song’s lyrics “so clichéd” because the adjectival form of cliché is clichéd.
Examples of clichés
Heart of gold
This cliché, which means a pure, generous person, comes from Shakespeare. More specifically, it comes from the play Henry V. It’s a great example of how an original phrase can become a cliché through years of overuse.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this”
This phrase is considered a cliché because it’s used in many movies—sometimes it’s played straight, and other times it’s used in an inappropriate situation for comedic effect. In any case, a character’s discomfort can be illustrated better through more specific dialogue.
Speed of light
Speed of light is a clichéd way to say something is imperceptibly fast. One form of media that uses this cliché is the Pokemon anime, where Team Rocket’s motto includes the line “Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!”
Safe and sound
Safe and sound is a clichéd way to say something or someone is completely safe from potential harm.
A perfect storm
The phrase a perfect storm typically means a situation where multiple negative factors have created a complex, difficult scenario. The Perfect Storm is a 2000 film (based on a nonfiction book) that tells the story of a horrific hurricane—one created through multiple conditions.
Types of clichés
Platitudes
A platitude is a statement meant to ease social tension. Here are two examples of this type of cliché:
- Everything happens for a reason.
- Honesty is the best policy.
Thought-terminating clichés
A thought-terminating cliché is a statement used to shut down a conversation. Take a look at these thought-terminating cliché examples:
- To each their own.
- You win some, you lose some.
Related terms
Cliché vs. stereotype
“Stereotype” is not a synonym for “cliché,” though there is some overlap. The terms are related, too—cliché is the past participle of the French verb clicher, which means to print in stereotype. Stereotype was a method of printing newspapers with interlocking plates.
Today, though, they’re distinct English words. A stereotype is a fixed, oversimplified depiction of a place, thing, or demographic.
Cliché vs. archetype
An archetype is a very typical example of a category. In fact, it may be the example that defines its category. King Arthur may be considered an archetype of a hero.
Cliché vs. trope
A trope is a predictable character, conflict, or plot point in fiction. Examples of tropes include the kind yet sassy grandmother and the “chosen one” protagonist. In contrast, a character might use clichéd dialogue, like the grandmother frequently starting her statements with “as I always say …” While cliché has a negative connotation, trope can be used positively or negatively.
Cliché vs. idiom
An idiom is a figure of speech, like saying “Break a leg!” to a musician before they go onstage. An idiom isn’t necessarily a cliché, but it can become a cliché over time.
How to avoid clichés in your writing
You’ll most likely use clichés in your writing at some point. We all do. Although avoiding them as you write is preferable, it’s more important to get a finished first draft on the page, even if it contains clichés. That way, you’ve got a complete piece of text to edit into a polished, cliché-free final draft.
Look for synonyms to replace them
As you read your writing and spot clichés, think about what you meant to say when you originally wrote each cliché. Find synonyms or more original ways to convey your thoughts, like replacing “in the nick of time” with something like “seconds before the door shut.”
Eliminate the cliché
As you’re writing, it’s fine to use a cliché as a placeholder when you can’t think of a more original phrase. But when you’re editing and you find them in your work, eliminate them. Sometimes, this can mean reworking a whole paragraph.
Rewrite it in your own words
If you’re stuck and can’t think of a strong replacement for a cliché, Grammarly can help. Have Grammarly spot clichés in your writing and suggest ways to replace them.
Are clichés bad?
Not necessarily. Sometimes, writers use clichés effectively. Take a look at these examples of cliché:
A writer may use a cliché for characterization. A character might say things like, “It is what it is” regularly, which would indicate they are an unoriginal thinker or somebody uninterested in change.
A writer might also include clichés in their work to subvert them. A chapter might start off with “It was a night like any other” and then quickly show that it was not, in fact, a night like any other.
Clichés can also be used in parodies. This could be a humorous essay asking the reader to think outside the box, then walking them through increasingly absurd strategies for escaping a giant cardboard box without tearing it.
Cliché FAQs
What is a cliché?
A cliché definition is a phrase that’s been repeated so many times that it no longer has the impact it once had. This is because the phrase has become predictable and feels generic, rather than evoking an original image in the listener’s or reader’s mind.
Is a cliché slang?
No, a cliché is not slang. However, a cliché can contain slang words.
What is an example of a cliché?
- In the nick of time
- Take it or leave it.
- Speed of light
What are synonyms for cliché?
“Stock phrase” is a synonym for cliché. A few other words that are similar but not exact synonyms include “platitude” and “banality.”
