The word “cliché” comes from French. It was first used to describe a stereotype: a metal plate used for printing an image. Both the words “cliché” and “stereotype” derive from printing jargon but now have negative connotations. Examples of clichés include demarcations of time, such as “in the nick of time” “at the speed of light” and “in a/just a moment (a moment is an actual of time though, 90 seconds).” Clichés also include expressions about emotions, such as “head over heels” to describe love, and the phrase “every cloud has a silver lining” to express hope in difficult situations.
A thought-terminating cliché is a phrase that offers a reductive answer to a complex idea. The term was popularized in the 1961 book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of ‘Brainwashing’ in China by physiatrist Robert Jay Lifton. Thought-terminating clichés are also known as semantic stop signs or thought-stoppers. Here are some examples of thought-terminating clichés: “To each his own,” “You win some, you lose some,” “I’ll cross the bridge when I get there,” “Take it or leave it,” and everyone’s favorite, “Agree to disagree.”
“The Fact of the Matter."
Example: "The fact of the matter is I am right and you are wrong."
This condescending cliché may be used to needlessly repeat something that has been said earlier in an argument. The cliché is supposed to provide added emphasis and verity. Instead, the facile presumption of truth only serves to annoy the listener. After all, if you can’t justify your argument without using this cliché, your argument is baseless.
“Giving It 110%."
Example: "It was hard work, but I gave yesterday's math quiz 110%."
Giving 110% is something that no human being can do. If it were possible, the world would fall apart because everything made to 100% precision would become a flimsy, haphazard deathtrap. The laws of physics would disintegrate into the ether and the fabric of reality would tumble into the shredder. People claiming to give 110% should be talked to "with all due respect."
“With all Due Respect.”
Example: "With all due respect, you should be shot out of a cannon into a volcanic ash cloud."
This has to be one of the most annoying clichés ever concocted. It is nearly always contradictory because it invariably precedes a disrespectful remark. Not only does the cliché give the user a feeling of immunity from retribution, but it establishes the hurtful remark as more considered and truthful than it usually is. This makes it a weaselly and offensive cliché that is often used by arrogant, petulant people.