Languages › English as a Second Language Popular Cliches Explained for ESL Students Share Flipboard Email Print Hanneke Vollbehr/Getty Images English as a Second Language Vocabulary Basic Conversations for English Language Learners Pronunciation & Conversation Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on February 19, 2019 A cliche is a common phrase that has been overused. In general, cliches are to be avoided. In reality, they are not avoided - that's why they are cliches! Understanding popular cliches is especially important for English learners because they provide a deeper understanding of set phrases - or 'chunks' of language. You might hear movie stars or politicians using cliches. They're phrases everybody understands. 10 Popular Cliches The writing on the wall = Something that is about to happen, something that is obviousCan't you see the writing on the wall! You need to get out of that business.To pull an all-nighter = To study or work all nightWe had to pull an all-nighter to get the work finished on time.Pearls of wisdom = Wise words or adviceI'm not really interested in his pearls of wisdom. He lived in a different period.Too much of a good thing = Generally used when saying that's impossible to be too happy, or luckyEnjoy it! You can't have too much of a good thing.Fit as a fiddle = To be ready and ableI'm fit as a fiddle. Let's do this thing!Curiosity killed the cat = Don't be too inquisitive, it can be dangerous!Remember curiosity killed the cat. You should just forget about it.Don't do as I do, do as I say. = Used when someone points out that you are being hypocritical (doing one thing while insisting that others do that thing differently)Stop talking back! Don't do as I do, do as I say!Let sleeping dogs lie = Don't look into (investigate) something that was troublesome in the past, but in which people are not currently interestedI'd let sleeping dogs lie and not re-open the investigation into the crime.A cat has nine lives = Someone might be having problems now, but there are many chances to do well or succeedHis career reminds that a cat has nine lives!Moment of truth = The moment in which something important will be shown or decidedIt's the moment of truth. Either we'll get the contract or we won't. Where Can I Find Cliches? These chunks of language known as cliches are found everywhere: in letters, in films, in articles, in conversation. However, cliches are most often used in conversation. Should I Use Cliches? A good rule of thumb for English learners is to understand a variety of popular cliches, but not necessarily use them actively. Many times the use of a cliche signals fluency, but often cliches are considered inappropriate or unoriginal. On the other hand, if a native speaker uses a cliche you will understand! The Difference Between an Idiom and a Cliche An idiom is a phrase that means something else than the literal words. Idioms always have figurative, not literal meanings. Literal = Meaning exactly what the words sayFigurative = Having a different meaning than what the words say Two Idioms To get under someone's skin = To bother someoneShe's getting under my skin these days!No spring chicken = Not youngTom's no spring chicken. He's almost 70! Two Cliches A cliche is a phase which is considered overused (used too often) which can be literal or figurative in meaning. Here are some examples: The good old days / literal = In the past when things were betterI remember my years at college. Yes, those were the good old days.Tip of the iceberg / figurative = Only the beginning, or just a small percentageThe problems we are seeing are just the tip of the iceberg. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Beare, Kenneth. "Popular Cliches Explained for ESL Students." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/what-are-cliches-1212333. Beare, Kenneth. (2020, August 28). Popular Cliches Explained for ESL Students. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-cliches-1212333 Beare, Kenneth. "Popular Cliches Explained for ESL Students." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-cliches-1212333 (accessed March 28, 2023). copy citation