Overused Words and Expressions (clichés)

the bottom line
at this point in time
bite the bullet
male chauvinist pig

Be careful of the word "very".   It can actually weaken a word rather than strengthen it.

Bad: The board meeting was very long and very boring.

Good: The board meeting was long and boring.

Bad: She was very beautiful.

Good: She was a beauty.

Here is a list of clichés to avoid. ^{Marius 239-243}

absolute truth
acid test
after all is said and done
agony of defeat
agree to disagree
at this point in time
avoid like the plague
the ball's in his court
basic needs
basic truth
better late than never
bite the dust
bolt from the blue
bottom line
brave as a lion
bring home the bacon
broad array
brutally frank
burn the midnight oil
calm, cool, and collected
cloud nine
come to grips with
communicate effectively
consensus of opinion
cool as a cucumber
crisis of confidence
crowning glory
cut and dried
dead as a doornail
do or die
down and out
each and every
face the music
facts of life
few and far between
first and foremost
fond memories
grave danger
green with envy
hands-on
happy medium
highest priority
imminent danger
in a very real sense
in some cases
integral part
in terms of
in the final analysis
in this day and age
it goes without saying
it is interesting to note
it stands to reason
last but not least
learning experience
live and learn
meaningful experience
mitigate against
needle in a haystack
never, ever
nose to the grindstone
off the beaten track
off the wall
once and for all
ongoing
out of the blue
painfully obvious
paramount importance
pertinent facts
precondition
preplanning
rank and file
rather unique
sigh of relief
sink or swim
supreme moment
tempest in a teapot
tried and true
vicious cycle
vital role
work like a dog
wreak havoc

There are many more.   Avoid them!