Clichés
and Platitudes
Cliché/Platitude
1. "Work smarter, not harder."
2. "I paid an arm and a leg for my degree."
3. "It is what it is."
4. "Mom, you mean the world to me."
5. "Haste makes waste."
6. "Every cloud has a silver lining."
7. "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."
8. "Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed."
9. "The writing on the wall."
10. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Translation
1. "If there are multiple correct ways to complete a task, common sense should tell you to save time and energy by using the more efficient method."
2. "I paid an exorbitant amount of money for my post-secondary education."
3. "I have realized there is nothing I am capable of doing to change the situation, so I should stop worrying about it."
4. "Mom, you have always shown me unconditional love and taught me what it means to be a best friend."
5. "It is better for your work to be precise and have taken a little more time than for you to have saved time by haphazardly throwing it together."6
6. "Circumstances may seem bleak now, but don't lose hope because things never stay that way."
7. "Do not be the type of person to pass up incredible opportunities; they could impact your life in ways you never imagined.
8. "You have had a crotchety attitude since this morning, and I don't appreciate it."
9. "I don't know why you're worrying about this situation when the outcome is blatantly obvious."
10. "Perhaps if you ate more fresh produce and less McChickens, you would have better health."