Cliche
Literary term · say it klee-SHAY
A cliche is an expression, character, or situation that has become stale or predictable through overuse. Familiarity alone does not make something a cliche: the problem is that it offers little that feels fresh or specific.
Ways a cliche can appear
Worn-out expressions and comparisons
These are phrases or images repeated so often that readers can almost supply the next words. They can replace a precise observation with something ready-made.
In Sonnet 130 in Sonnets, the speaker rejects familiar comparisons between a beloved woman and beautiful things such as the sun, roses, and snow. The poem questions the tired language of ideal beauty.
In Sonnets by William Shakespeare
Predictable characters and situations
A character or plot situation can feel like a cliche when it follows a familiar pattern without distinctive details. Books sometimes expose these expectations by showing how poorly they fit ordinary life.
In Northanger Abbey, Catherine suspects that General Tilney has murdered or imprisoned his wife. Henry corrects her, exposing how familiar Gothic plots have shaped her expectations.
In Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
How to spot a cliche
- Look for phrases whose endings you can predict.
- Notice characters or events that seem familiar before any details emerge.
- Ask whether the familiar pattern adds something specific or merely fills a space.
What is the difference between a cliche and an idiom?
An idiom is an established expression whose meaning differs from its literal words; a cliche feels stale through overuse. An expression can be both, but many idioms remain useful everyday language without calling attention to themselves or feeling tired.
Is a cliche always bad?
A cliche is not always a weakness in a book. A character's tired sayings may reveal a habit of avoiding serious thought, while a familiar plot may become a target of comedy. The question is whether its familiarity serves a clear purpose.
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