CLICHÉS

 

CLICHÉS

 

Well Known Popular Cliches, Sayings, and Expressions

Well known popular cliches, sayings, and expressions are used by people
in the work place, at the office, and at home. Some believe that cliches
should be avoided, but the best advice is to use cliches thoughtfully.

We hear and read popular cliches in real life conversations, movies, audio books, television shows - everywhere. Cliches are, for the most part, expressions that explain things in simplified terms. Like everything, using them has advantages and disadvantages. When you use them wisely, this can help you in various ways. That's why this page is included on our executive coaching website.

Understanding popular cliches can give ideas, suggestions, techniques, tips, and help in solving various challenges we often face in business, at the office, at home, or wherever we may be. I hope you will benefit from the examples I've chosen and the definitions and meanings as well.

Caution: Beware of Popular Cliches

Cliches are often used to motivate, inspire, and make people think and learn about particular situations. There are times when popular cliches are perfectly acceptable language, are quite effective, and will even make people laugh and provide some levity!
But be aware that like anything, some people use cliches too often and inappropriately. It can make people sound "canned" or even "flippant". And, cliches are not correct in all situations. Like to discuss this, or something else on your mind? If so, please contact me. I'd be happy to meet you by email or phone.
Use your best judgment when using popular cliches and you're likely to use them successfully to convey your point.

Better (be) safe than sorry / Better (to be) safe than sorry.
Sth. that you say which means it is best not to take risks even if it seems boring or hard work to be careful. You should be cautious; if you are not, you may regret it.

Popular Cliches Sometimes Used in Business

• "Rome wasn't built in a day" - don't expect to make big accomplishments too quickly. It takes time AND smart, well planned work to produce great things.

• "Let's think outside of the box" - new, unusual, creative ideas for generating business or better organizing ourselves are needed and wanted.

• "Don't put all of your eggs into one basket" - it's time to diversify.

• "The writing is on the wall" - this means that it's now obvious that something is about to happen, which could be good or bad, and may require immediate attention.

• "A win-win situation" - both parties (such as the business and its clients) should benefit from a business transaction or opportunity.

• "That's as clear as mud" - the explanation given is unclear; people don't understand what was said.

• "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again" - don't give up quickly, if you have an important goal you want to accomplish. (But don't keep trying to do it the same way, because you'll likely get the same outcome.)

• "You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks" - as people get older, we get more set in our ways and won't change. (But this isn't true: we do change physically as we age, have the ability to learn from the past, and can be encouraged to change.)

• "Clothes Don't Make the Man" - just because a person is well-dressed and looks attractive doesn't mean that person necessarily has lots of positive qualities or is someone you should get involved with.

• "There's No Place like Home" - it's often fun to experience new places but, at the end of the day, it's great to be home. (But eventually, most of us become ready to leave home, and find a new home.)

• "Money is the Root of all Evil" - the desire to have and keep money make people fight, cheat and do bad things. (Although this is sometimes true, many people use their money to do good things.)

• "The World is Paved with Good Intentions" - lots of people say and think about doing good things - but don't follow through with good action.

• "Rob Peter to Pay Paul" - when people can't take care of all of their obligations and are spread thin, they don't pay (or take back from) one obligation and pay another one.

• "Don't Rock the Boat" - this means to leave things alone if they're going OK as is. (But eventually, many people want changes, and do "rock the boat".)

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Almost all children learn cliches; this carries into adulthood. People learning "English as a Second Language" are taught cliches, too; it's a "window" into our language and culture, for better AND for worse.