cli ‧ ché /ˈkliːʃeɪ $ kliːˈʃeɪ/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: French ; Origin: past participle of clicher 'to print from a metal plate' ]
an idea or phrase that has been used so much that it is not effective or does not have any meaning any longer:
There is plenty of truth in the cliché that a trouble shared is a trouble halved.
—clichéd adjective
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ an old cliché
He seemed to believe that old cliché about a woman’s place being in the home.
▪ a tired cliché (=boring because it has been used so often)
The story is based on a series of tired clichés.
▪ a worn-out cliché (=very boring)
His writing is full of worn-out clichés.
▪ a popular cliché (=one used by a lot of people)
The term 'information revolution' is a popular cliché.
▪ a romantic cliché (=something romantic that is rather boring because many people do it)
Giving a girl red roses is a bit of a romantic cliché.
■ verbs
▪ use a cliché
'Time marches on', to use the old cliché.
▪ be full of clichés
Sports reporting tends to be full of clichés.
▪ avoid cliché/clichés
Try and avoid clichés.
▪ become a cliché
It has become a cliché to say that Prague is the most beautiful city in Europe.