Good English teachers often tell students to “avoid clichés like the plague,” but avoiding a reliance on hackneyed stock phrases is easier said than done. Did you catch that? I just used a cliché. Whether you’re writing an essay for the SAT, ACT, a college application, or for class, here are some examples of things that have been done to death—but like zombies of language, continue to rise.
Clichéd Phrases to Avoid
This list isn’t comprehensive, but it’s a good place to start. I don’t want to bore you to tears!
Outside the box
This one’s really frustrating. A writer who uses this term in praise of unconventional thinking is, ironically, guilty of just the opposite. There’s no term more inside the box than “outside the box.”
In today’s society
In the world today
In modern society
Throughout history
From the dawn of man
I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen one of these phrases in a student’s introductory paragraph. It’s naïve (and, likely, incorrect) to make such sweeping claims—and furthermore, each of these phrases is not only too general, but also too common.
There’s no “I” in team
There is, however, an “I” in clichéd. In addition to being an overused phrase, this is an overused theme in student essays.
Pales in comparison
There has to be a better way to compare things. How about “tans in comparison?”
Actions speak louder than words
Show, don’t tell.
All’s fair in love and war
I’m going AWOL from this paper.
Look on the bright side
I’d love to, but I’m too busy looking at a terrible cliché.
Glass half full / glass half empty
Your writing is both—full of clichés and empty of substance.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Hopefully lightning will strike in the same place repeatedly.
Achilles’ heel
Points for the allusion, but even The Iliad didn’t use this phrase.
Good things come to those who wait
I’ll keep this is mind as I patiently slog through your paper.
You win some, you lose some
Is this the Mayan ball game?
Whatever will be will be
That’ll be $5000.
In conclusion
Even though this is a cliché, I’m happy I’m close to the end.
In the final analysis
If your essay topic is as clichéd as this phrase, it’s highly unlikely that this is the final analysis.
In summary
Tell me something new.
At the end of the day
I’m going to sleep.
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