Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about Cliche (AI summary)

The term "cliche" in literature is often loaded with irony and self-reflection, serving as a vehicle to comment on ideas that have been overused yet persist in everyday language. For instance, an author might highlight the gap between intention and understanding when noting that "the author of that cliche didn’t even know its meaning" [1]. Similarly, the invocation of time-worn phrases such as “the old cliche about doing as the Santosians do” [2] and Kennon’s reaction—“winced at the cliche. It was so ancient that it had lost all meaning” [3]—demonstrates a critical awareness of familiar expressions. In other instances, repeating these familiar idioms, whether simply reiterating an “old cliche” [4] or observing that “for once, the cliche was true” [5], underscores how these well-worn phrases can simultaneously carry truth and evoke a sense of weariness. Even when explicitly applied to different contexts, as in the case of livestock raising [6], the word "cliche" functions as a reminder of the limitations and endurance of language in conveying ideas.
  1. The author of that cliche didn’t even know its meaning!
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  2. The old cliche about doing as the Santosians do flicked through his mind.
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  3. Kennon winced at the cliche It was so ancient that it had lost all meaning.
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  4. Kennon said, repeating the old cliche.
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  5. For once, he thought wryly, the cliche was true.
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone
  6. And that old cliche about an ounce of prevention is truer of livestock raising than anything else I can think of.”
    — from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, Scrabble


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy