Which term means a worn-out idea or overused expression?

Which term means a worn-out idea or overused expression?

• A. Cliche
• B. Culture to meaning
• C. Sonnet
• D. Limerick

Answer: (A)

Think about phrases that feel overused because they've been said many times. That term is cliché. It describes ideas or expressions that have lost impact from repetition, like “time will tell” or “every cloud has a silver lining.” Recognizing clichés helps readers see language that is familiar but not fresh, and it encourages writers to choose more specific or original wording. The other terms don’t fit: a sonnet is a 14-line poem with a particular rhyme pattern, a limerick is a humorous five-line poem, and “culture to meaning” isn’t a standard label for worn-out expressions.

Think about phrases that feel overused because they've been said many times. That term is cliché. It describes ideas or expressions that have lost impact from repetition, like “time will tell” or “every cloud has a silver lining.” Recognizing clichés helps readers see language that is familiar but not fresh, and it encourages writers to choose more specific or original wording. The other terms don’t fit: a sonnet is a 14-line poem with a particular rhyme pattern, a limerick is a humorous five-line poem, and “culture to meaning” isn’t a standard label for worn-out expressions.