Cliche Finder

Cliches can work in dialogue (people naturally speak in cliches), humor (subverting expectations), or when the phrase is genuinely the clearest expression. The key is intentional use rather than lazy writing.

All cliches are idioms or phrases, but not all idioms are cliches. An idiom becomes a cliche when it's overused to the point of losing impact. Some idioms remain fresh because they're less commonly used.

First, identify what the cliche actually means. Then express that meaning directly or with a fresh metaphor specific to your context. "Think outside the box" might become "approach this from unexpected angles" or a metaphor relevant to your subject.

Yes, each genre has its own overused phrases. Academic writing overuses "it is important to note," "further research is needed." Business writing overuses "synergy," "paradigm shift," "move the needle." Our tool categorizes cliches by genre.

Yes. Editors and readers recognize cliches as lazy writing. In competitive contexts (job applications, publishing submissions, marketing), cliche-free writing stands out. In business, cliches can make communication seem hollow or insincere.