In a world full of stories and sayings we’ve all heard before, clichés often get a bad rap for being unoriginal. But what if there’s more to them than meets the eye? Clichés, like “race against time” or “rising from the ashes,” actually pack a punch of emotion and meaning. They’re like shortcuts in language that instantly bring up powerful images and feelings. So, let’s take a closer look at clichés, explore some common ones, and see how they can actually make our stories richer.

A cliché /ˈkliːʃeɪ/ is a comment or a phrase that is often used in certain common, everyday situations. It is a comment/remark that most people are familiar with and is therefore not original. Clichés are often used in everyday conversation, and they are also frequently played with in advertising slogans, newspaper headlines and TV news programs. For example:

Advertising	News
Expect the unexpected.	We are concerned…
Think outside the box.	deep regret
once in a lifetime opportunity	to raise a question
Open the door to success.	to decide next steps
original taste	serious impact on…
In business since…	top priority
Our biggest asset is our people.	painful issue
We’re professionals.	to spark heated debates
We go the extra mile for you.	breaking news
Conveniently located…	to shed light on…

Clichés are an important part of any language. No matter which one we speak, we use them every day. Phrases like good morning, how are you, see you later, I look forward to hearing from you, I’ll keep you informed, etc. are just a few examples of clichés. They are expected by the listener or email receiver, even if they don’t realize it. The use of certain clichés is considered good manners (e.g. please accept my condolences, get well soon, congratulations, nice to meet you).

And still, if you search for different kinds of clichés on the Internet (e.g. business, marketing, advertising, journalism, etc.), you’ll find a lot of posts about clichés that “must die”, “should be banished”, that you should “cut from your vocabulary” and so on and so forth. So, are clichés bad? Well, not necessarily. If you use them wisely, they help you sound natural, convincing and eloquent. Make sure you don’t overuse certain clichés, and find the right ones for different situations.

How to Use Clichés to Your Advantage

As mentioned before, clichés can actually be powerful tools in communication when used thoughtfully. Here’s how you can use them to your advantage:

1. Instant understanding: Clichés are universally recognized, and by using them, you tap into a shared understanding with your audience, making your message more accessible and relatable. For example: You’ve been a great audience, listening intently to my presentation. But, as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” so let me transition to visuals to illustrate what I’ve explained.
2. Emotional impact: Clichés often carry strong emotional connotation, and these familiar phrases evoke feelings that resonate deeply with people, helping to create a connection. For example: Mother Teresa was truly a woman with a heart of gold, who made it her mission in life to help people.
3. Memorability: Because clichés are so ingrained in our language and culture, they’re easy to remember. Incorporating them into your communication can make your message stick in the minds of your audience, ensuring they remember what you’ve said. For example: The ad slogan says, “Unlock Your Potential: Reach for the Stars!” and I can’t help but think of stars and how I reach for them to reach new heights, realizing my full potential.
4. Adding color to language: Clichés can inject color and personality into your writing or speech. They can add flair and emphasis to your message, making it more engaging. For example: The brave knight had the heart of a lion, intimidating his enemies and instilling awe in his countrymen.
5. Building rapport: Using clichés can help you build rapport with your audience by demonstrating that you’re speaking their language. It shows that you understand their perspective and share common experiences, fostering a sense of connection. For example: (said by a team lead) We are one team, and so we’re all in the same boat here. I know I can trust you, and you all can trust me.

Remember though that it’s essential to use clichés judiciously. Overusing them can make your communication feel clichéd and uninspired. So, try to balance familiarity with originality, incorporating clichés strategically to enhance your message rather than relying on them as a crutch.

Practice 10 Selected Clichés From This Post

First, study the table below. Then, do the provided exercises.

Cliché	Meaning	Example
a race against time	a situation in which something must happen or be done quickly because little time is available	It’s a race against time to get the building finished before the rainy season sets in.
to rise from the ashes	to emerge successfully from a difficult or challenging situation, often after a setback or failure	Despite the company’s bankruptcy, they managed to rise from the ashes and become even more successful.
Timing is everything.	Success/effectiveness of something depends heavily on when it is done.	He missed the opportunity to invest in the company because he didn’t realize that timing is everything in the stock market.
A picture is worth a thousand words.	A visual image can convey complex ideas more effectively than a description using many words.	The photograph of the devastation caused by the earthquake was so powerful; truly, a picture is worth a thousand words.
a heart of gold	used to describe someone who is kind, compassionate, and generous	She may seem tough on the outside, but she has a heart of gold and is always willing to help others in need.
to reach for the stars	to set ambitious goals or pursue high aspirations	Despite growing up in a small town, she always encouraged her children to reach for the stars and pursue their dreams.
the heart of a lion	great courage, bravery and strength	Despite facing numerous obstacles, she tackled each one with the heart of a lion and never gave up.
to be in the same boat	to be in a similar situation or facing the same circumstances as someone else	We’re all in the same boat when it comes to dealing with the challenges of the pandemic.
to think outside the box	to think creatively or from a different perspective in order to solve a problem or approach a situation	In order to stay ahead of the competition, we need to encourage our employees to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas.
to go the extra mile for someone	to make a special effort or put in additional work to help or support someone beyond what is expected	She always goes the extra mile for her clients, ensuring that their needs are met and they are satisfied with her service.
to shed light on something	to provide information about something or to make something easier to understand	No one could shed any light on the mysterious car accident.

Exercise 1. Click the link here and match the pictures to the idioms/clichés they represent.

Exercise 2. Click the link here and complete the situations with the most appropriate idiom/cliché.