Popular Cliches Explained for ESL Students

Popular Cliches Explained for ESL Students A cliche is a common phrase that has been overused. In general, cliches are to be avoided. In reality, they are not avoided - thats 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. Theyre phrases everybody understands.   10 Popular Cliches The writing on the wall   Something that is about to happen, something that is obviousCant 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 adviceIm not really interested in his pearls of wisdom. He lived in a different period.Too much of a good thing   Generally used when saying thats impossible to be too happy, or luckyEnjoy it! You cant have too much of a good thing.Fit as a fiddle   To be ready and ableIm fit as a fiddle. Lets do this thing!Curiosity killed the cat   Dont be too inquisitive, it can be dangerous!Remember curiosity killed the cat. You should just forget about it.Dont 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! Dont do as I do, do as I say!Let sleeping dog s lie   Dont look into (investigate) something that was troublesome in the past, but in which people are not currently interestedId 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 decidedIts the moment of truth. Either well get the contract or we wont. 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!  Ã‚   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 someones skin To bother someoneShes getting under my skin these days!No spring chicken Not youngToms no spring chicken. Hes 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.

45 Idioms About the Number One

45 Idioms About the Number One 45 Idioms About the Number One 45 Idioms About the Number One By Mark Nichol English is replete with idiomatic expressions featuring numerical values, including dozens pertaining to the number one alone. Here’s a list of most (if not all) of the idioms in the latter category. 1. all in one breath: said of something spoken excitedly without pause 2. all in one piece: safely 3. all rolled up in one: combined 4. all-in-one: with all required features 5. as one: as if a group were one entity 6. at one with: in agreement or solidarity with another 7: do (someone) one better: do something that is an improvement on what someone else has done 8. for one thing: said to introduce one of two or more reasons (though the phrase might follow the statement) 9. for one: a qualifier expressing that someone represents an example 10. hole in one: said of a significant achievement, in reference to achieving a goal in golf with a single hit of the ball 11. if it’s not one thing: part of a saying (with the rest, â€Å"it’s another (thing)† often not said but implied) expressed when one is exasperated by the latest in a series of inconveniences 12. in one ear and out the other: said of advice or information that is not heeded or retained 13. in one fell swoop: all at once or within a short period 14. it’s been one of those days: said when multiple things have gone wrong in succession 15. it’s just one of those things: said of something unfortunate that must be accepted 16–17. look after/take care of number one: said in reference to focusing on one’s own safety or concerns over that of others 18. not one iota: not even a bit 19. number one: oneself (see â€Å"look after number one†) 20. on the one hand: from one point of view (sometimes paired with â€Å"on the other hand†) 21. one and all: everyone 22. one for the (record) books: said of a significant achievement 23. one good turn deserves another: an expression about the importance of reciprocity 24. one-hit wonder: an artist who achieves only one commercial success 25–26. one heck/hell of a (something): a reference to someone being markedly bad or good at something 27. one in a million: rare or unique, often said about someone with a distinctive quality 28–29. one jump/step ahead: said of someone who anticipates or innovates 30. one man’s meat is another man’s poison: something one person likes may not be suitable for another person 31. one-night stand: an activity or encounter that lasts only one night 32. one-note: said of something lacking variety 33. one of a kind: unique 34. one of the boys: someone accepted into or part of a group 35. one of these days: said of an expected event that will occur someday or soon; also, sometimes expressed as a threat, with the consequence implied but not stated 36. one of those things: said of something unwelcome but inevitable 37. one person’s trash is another person’s treasure: something of no value to one person may be valuable to another 38. one that got away: a missed opportunity 39. one-track mind: said of someone with a single-minded focus 40. one-trick pony: someone or something with only one distinguishing feature, skill, or talent 41. one up on: said of having an advantage over someone 42. one way or another: somehow 43. square one: the starting point of developing something or solving a problem (often in the phrase â€Å"back to square one†) 44. the one and only: said of something unique 45. there is more than one way to skin a cat: more than one procedure will work or more than one solution is available Other number-oriented idioms, including those that mention the number one but in which the focus is on another number, such as â€Å"Two heads are better than one,† will follow in a later post. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:75 Contronyms (Words with Contradictory Meanings)Time Words: Era, Epoch, and EonLetter Writing 101