Cliche phrases became cliche phrases because at one point in time (back when they were still fresh) they described something perfectly. They were so accurate that they created a vivid image in the reader’s mind. Because of that they were memorable and got copied so many times they became set phrases themselves. But at the same time, their frequent use reduced their meaning more and more. Cliche phrases make your writing hollow and strip meaning from what it is you’re actually trying to say. Just like text generated by bots, there is no soul, no residence. Your job as a writer is to create phrases that describe something so perfectly that they themselves could become cliches. While I can’t teach you how to do that. At the very least I can help you to identify cliche phrases you might be using in your writing and therefore in staying clear of them.
Below you find examples of cliche phrases. The list is by no means complete and I’ll be adding new ones constantly (whenever I come across a cliche phrase). If you have cliche phrases to add or which you absolutely hate coming across in any writing, make sure to mention them in the comment section. d(-_^)
Describing Character
a chip off the old block
a good/kind soul
all talk, no action
all thumbs
a loose cannon
babe in the woods
ballpark figure
big fish in a small pond
big man on campus
blushing bride
boys will be boys
cute as a button
down on his/her luck
down to earth
dull as dishwater
fair weather friend
fish out of water
fit as a fiddle
force to be reckoned with
fox in the henhouse
free as a bird
fresh as a daisy
go the extra mile
like father like son
loose cannon
lounge lizard
low man on the totem pole
luck of the Irish
man of few words
older and wiser
on his/her high horse
one born every minute
one foot in the grave
one in a million
party pooper
penny-pincher
pillar of the community
poor as a church mouse
pot calling the kettle black
quick as a bunny
quick as a lick
quick as a wink
quick as lightning
quiet as a dormouse
red as a beet
rich and famous
scared out of his/her wits
scared stiff
scared to death
sick as a dog
speak of the devil
spitting image of
stands out like a sore thumb
still waters run deep
strong as an ox
stubborn as a mule
the real deal
thick as a brick
thick as thieves
tough as nails
two peas in a pod
ugly as sin
under his/her thumb
what you see is what you get
vested interest
yappy as a dog
young and foolish
young and vibrant
Describing Action
a word to the wise
sitting by the phone waiting for
vain attempt/effort
Describing Atmosphere/Scenery/Location
a dark and stormy night
under the same roof
Describing a Situation
a fine kettle of fish
as luck would have it
at my wit’s end
Comparisons
as old as time
as the crow flies
avoid like the plague
like a babe in the woods
Illustrations
a clean slate
a far cry
a pain in the neck/butt
ace in the hole
an ace up his sleeve
add insult to injury
afraid of his own shadow
against all odds
air your dirty laundry
all fun and games
all your eggs in one basket
an axe to grind
armed to the teeth
back against the wall
back in the saddle
back to square one
back to the drawing board
bad to the bone
badge of honor
banging your head against a brick wall
baptism by fire
the bark is worse than the bite
barking up the wrong tree
bat out of hell
off the top of my head
off the wagon
old hat
on a roll
on cloud nine
under the counter
up his sleeve
up the creek
up to his ears in trouble
uphill battle
upset the applecart
vanquish the enemy
yanking your chain
you’re the boss
Philosophy
a penny saved is a penny earned
all is fair in love and war
all is well that ends well
you are what you eat
you can run, but you can’t hide
you only live once