Cliche

A cliche is a phrase, image or idea that has been used so often it has lost its freshness and force, such as 'avoid it like the plague' or 'at the end of the day'.

"It was a dark and stormy night." "Cold as ice." "Time heals all wounds." You could finish each one before you reached the end of it. When a phrase comes that easily, it has stopped carrying meaning.

Why they appear

Cliches were once fresh. "Cold as ice" was a vivid comparison the first time. Repeated a million times, it became a stamp. In a first draft they arrive because they are quick, and the writer's mind reaches for the nearest familiar phrase.

Kinds

• Phrases. "Avoid like the plague", "last but not least".
• Images. The sun setting on the hero, rain at a funeral.
• Characters. The detective with a drink problem.
• Plot moves. The dream that turns out to explain everything.

The last two are closer to tropes, and a trope used without care becomes a cliche.

Fixing them

• Be specific. Replace the stock phrase with the exact detail: not "cold as ice", but "the cold of a coin held too long".
• Say it plainly. Often the literal version is better.
• Twist it. Turn the familiar phrase to a fresh use, but only once.
• Cut it. If the sentence works without it, delete it.

Why it matters to a writer or editor

Cliches signal inattention, and readers begin to skim. In a line edit, they are one of the first things to mark. Check similes and metaphors especially, since the worn ones sit there. In dialogue, leave them when they fit the speaker. Elsewhere, aim for the specific image, and watch for the opposite failure, purple prose.

Frequently asked questions

Is a cliche the same as a trope?

No. A trope is a recurring device or pattern in storytelling, such as the chosen one. A cliche is a worn-out expression or idea. A trope can become a cliche when it is used without fresh thought.

Are cliches always bad?

Not always. In dialogue, characters use them because people do. The problem is the narrator reaching for one when a fresh image was needed.

How do I find the cliches in my draft?

Read slowly and mark any phrase you could finish yourself after the first two words. Those are the ones to rewrite.