Basic Details
Word: Clich
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: An idea or phrase that is overused and lacks originality.
Synonyms: Stereotype, platitude, banality
Antonyms: Originality, novelty
Idioms and Phrases
- Run of the mill: Something that is very ordinary and not special. Example: "The film was just another run of the mill clich about high school life."
- Old hat: Something that is outdated or no longer interesting because it has been seen or done many times before. Example: "His jokes were so old hat that no one laughed."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The book was filled with clichs that made it predictable and boring.
Example 2: Using the phrase "time will tell" is a common clich that we often hear in conversation.
Example 3: She avoided clichs in her writing to make her story more engaging and unique.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "clich" comes from French, where it originally referred to the sound made by a printing plate when it was dropped? It has come to mean any overused expression or idea.
Famous Quote
"Clichs are what happen when you have a people who have very little to say." - John Truby
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "clich" mean?
a) A new idea
b) An overused idea or phrase
c) A type of music
d) A strong smell
Answer: b) An overused idea or phrase
2. Which of these is a synonym of "clich"?
a) Novelty
b) Stereotype
c) Inspiration
d) Innovation
Answer: b) Stereotype
3. Which is an antonym of "clich"?
a) Banality
b) Originality
c) Platitude
d) Stereotype
Answer: b) Originality
4. Which sentence uses "clich" correctly?
a) The artist created a clich masterpiece that surprised everyone.
b) The movie was refreshing, without a single clich.
c) She painted a clich of colours to make her artwork better.
d) He told the clich joke that made everyone giggle.
Answer: b) The movie was refreshing, without a single clich.
5. Which idiom refers to something that is outdated or ordinary?
a) Hot off the press
b) Cold as ice
c) Old hat
d) Cut to the chase
Answer: c) Old hat
