What is so cliché? What is a cliché? Have you ever heard this word used before in English? It is originally a French word, but English speakers have borrowed it and incorporated it into our own vocabulary as a word that means:

an overused word, phrase, or idea

The word cliché often refers to specific figurative phrases (idioms, metaphors, etc.) that are overused, or are used so often by people. Clichés are phrases that are said too much!

I have a list below of some common clichés in English and what they mean. Just because these phrases are clichés, doesn’t mean you can’t use them, you just shouldn’t overuse them, because that is what makes them cliché.

Common clichés:

“When it rains, it pours.”
This means it often feels like many bad things (or good things) happen at one time or when one bad/good thing happens other bad/good things start to happen too.

“Everything happens for a reason.”
This is often said to a person after something bad or seemingly bad has happened. It isn’t always what the person wants to hear during a difficult time.

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
This is usually said after a person has had a failure at something. It is said as a way of encouraging the person to not give up to easily.

“Curiosity killed the cat.”
This implies that it is not good to be too curious, it might get you into trouble.

“It’s the best thing since sliced bread.”
This means it is something that is very good.

“It takes two to tango.”
This means if something happens with two people, either good or bad, they both are responsible.

Of course there are many more clichés in English, but these are just a few for you to be aware of. Are there any clichés in your language that you can think of and translate to share with us?