A quick way to strengthen your writing is to replace (or just avoid altogether) overused expressions and phrases. Such expressions and phrases are known as clichés. They include terms such as “avoid like the plague”, “beat around the bush” or “kiss of death”.
Such expressions are so overused that they’ve lost their force. While most readers understand the point being made by a cliché, few understand the origin of and meaning behind the expression. In addition, because of their overuse, clichés sound trite.
Rather than rely on clichés, writers who’ve mastered their craft develop more clever ways of expressing an idea or feeling. These clever expressions delight readers. After all, part of the fun of reading is seeing how writers play with words. Putting them together in unique, evocative ways isn’t just fun for the reader – it’s part of the joy of writing.
Here’s a list of common clichés to avoid:
ace in the hole
ace up your sleeve
acid test
airing dirty laundry
all in a day's work
all talk, no action
all thumbs
all wet
all's fair in love and war
almighty dollar
always a bridesmaid
ambulance chaser
another day, another dollar
ants in your pants
apple-pie order
arm and a leg
armchair quarterback
army brat
art imitates life
artsy-craftsy
artsy-fartsy
as luck would have it
as old as time
at loggerheads
babe in the woods
back against the wall
back in the saddle
back to square one
back to the drawing board
bad to the bone
badge of honor
ballpark figure
balls to the wall
baptism of fire
bare bones
bark up the wrong tree
bat out of hell
bats in the belfry
battle royale
beat around the bush
beat the bushes
beats me
behind the eight ball
bent out of shape
best foot forward
bet your bottom dollar
better half
better late than never
better mousetrap
better safe than sorry
better than ever
better the Devil you know
between a rock and a hard place
beyond the pale
big as life
bigger they are (the)
bird in the hand
birds and the bees
birds of the feather
bite the dust
bite your tongue
bitter disappointment
black as coal
blast from the past
bleeding heart
blind as a bat
blood is thicker than water
blood money
blood on your hands
blow this pop stand/joint
blushing bride
boil it down to
booze and broads
bored to tears
born and raised
born with a silver spoon in your mouth
born yesterday
bottom line
brain drain
brass tacks
bring home the bacon
brother's keeper (thy)
bull by the horns
bull in a china shop
bump in the night
busy as a bee
but seriously
by and large
calm before the storm
candle at both ends
case of mistaken identity
cat out of the bag
caught red-handed
chapter and verse
checkered career
chickens come home to roost
cleanliness is next to godliness
clear as a bell
clear as mud
cold shoulder
communist conspiracy
conniption fit
could care less
couldn't care less
couldn't get to first base
countless hours
creature comfort
crime in the street
curry favor
cut a fine figure
cut and dried
cut to the chase
cut to the quick
cute as a button
darkest before the dawn
dead as a doornail
death and destruction
death and taxes
death's doorstep
devil is in the details
dim view
dog days dog in the manger
doubting Thomas
down and dirty
down in the dumps
down to earth
drive you up a wall
dutch uncle
dyed in the wool
ear to the ground
easier said than done
easy...
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