Many phrases have been so overused that they have become clichés.
They were once cutting edge but they have lost their edge over time because they have been so well used.
Here are some classic examples, with suggestions for plain English expressions to use
instead.
at the end of the day – ultimately; in the end
at this moment in time – now; at the moment
can of worms – complex problem; difficult situation;
unpredictable situation
cause a headache – cause a problem; cause a difficulty
come to terms with – cope with; accept
emotional rollercoaster – difficult/trying/emotional experience
hold one’s hands up – admit/take responsibility
in a very real sense – This can be omitted without loss of meaning.
… is the new … – … has become fashionable, etc
move the goalposts – change the conditions/requirements
not rocket science – simple; easy; requiring little intelligence
outpouring of grief – expression of grief
prodigious talent – exceptional ability; extraordinary talent
push the envelope – push the boundaries; challenge the limits
score an own goal – make a mistake; make a move to one’s
own disadvantage
set out one’s stall – make one’s aims/intentions clear
sing from the same hymn sheet – agree; be in agreement
step up to the plate – put oneself forward; take on responsibility
take one’s eye off the ball – lose focus; lose sight of one’s priorities;
become distracted from one’s aims
the bottom line – what is most important
the complete package – have all the necessary talents
the fact of the matter – the fact; the truth; the reality
think outside the box – disregard conventional thinking
tick all the boxes – fulfil the requirements
years young – years old (or simply state the person’s
age)
Next week we will look at some really cringeworthy words. (As if this week’s offering wasn’t bad enough.)
* All words in this blog post have been supplied by The 12th edition of The Chambers Dictionary. ISBN 97805501002379
Twitter: ITSergioFelix
Oops, I think I have used just a few from this list…
- “not rocket science”
- “emotional rollercoaster”
- “think outside the box”
I don’t use these often but I can certainly change them.
What bothers me more is that I use a lot words like “honestly” and “really”.
Sergio
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Twitter: chattopatrick
Hi Sergio,
I use some of them too but I try not to.
I remember when I used to have to cover local council committee meetings as a young reporter and the councillors (who generally struck me as not a very bright collection of individuals) would always talk in clichés. I genuinely believe that it means they did not have to think for themselves if they could just use phrases other people thought of whenever they opened their mouths to speak.
As for “honestly” and “really” I honestly can’t find any problem with those two words. Really. I mean it.
P.
You and I are singing from the same hymn sheet. It’s not rocket science to push the envelope and think outside the box when choosing words and phrases to convey information or express one’s feelings. Consider the recent outpouring of grief over the loss of of a local civic leader, who was only 85 years young. I was one of the only ones to step up to the plate and use my prodigious talent with words to help others come to terms with what would be, in a very real sense, an emotional rollercoaster, until somebody moved the goal post with respect to cliches, and opened up a whole new can of worms that caused a big headache at that moment in time. I took my eye off the ball; I thought I’d ticked all the boxes and that the eulogy I was giving was the total package. The fact of the matter, though, is that using plain English IS the new cliche, and at the end of the day all I can do is hold up my hands and admit that “score an own goal” was the only cliche I was unable to fit into this comment, I think.
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Twitter: chattopatrick
Arggggggggh noooo! Please make it stop.
P.
I have to admit I never heard of these words before, I am glad that you keep on sharing words such as this.nowadays almost all the people who knows this words don’t use it anymore.
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