A cliché is an expression that has been overused to the point of triteness. While avoiding them is usually a good idea, clichés are sometimes just what you need to convey a very specific meaning. But before deciding to include a cliché, first make sure that (1) there’s no better nontrite alternative, and (2) that the cliché is not a particularly stale or overused one.
Trendy clichés are best avoided. For example, at the time of this writing, throw under the bus, perfect storm, and drink the kool-aid have been big for two or three years. When you use a phrase like these, you only add to the expression’s oversaturation.
A few other examples of clichés:
all bets are off
at the end of the day
deer in the headlights
make ends meet
stem the tide
when hell freezes over
