Cliché Finder: Find Clichés in Your Writing
Paste your text into this free cliché checker to find overused phrases like “at the end of the day” and “low-hanging fruit”. It checks for nearly 2,000 clichés and lists the most common ones, so you can say it in your own words. No ads, no sign-up, and your text never leaves your browser.
Clichés
Clichés found
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Paste a draft to find stock phrases like “at the end of the day” and “think outside the box”.
Find every cliché as you write
Gorby Pro checks nearly 2,000 clichés and marks each one right in your text:
Select any cliché to jump to it and rewrite it on the spot.
Get Gorby ProOr try Gorby freeCliché basics
What is a cliché?
A cliché is a phrase that has been used so often it no longer makes readers think. “Every cloud has a silver lining” was a vivid image once. After a thousand uses, readers see the first few words, fill in the rest, and move on.
Clichés slip in when you write fast, when you know what you mean but not how to say it, or when a phrase you hear in every meeting starts to sound normal. One is harmless. A handful makes your writing sound generic, as if anyone could have written it.
Common clichés
Common clichés and what to write instead
These turn up in emails, reports, and blog posts every day. The best replacement depends on your sentence, but these are a good start.
| Cliché | Try instead |
|---|---|
| At the end of the day | Ultimately, or cut it |
| Think outside the box | Name the new idea itself |
| Hit the ground running | Was productive from day one |
| Low-hanging fruit | The quickest wins |
| Easier said than done | Hard to do, and say why |
| In a nutshell | In short, or cut it |
| Last but not least | Finally |
| Back to the drawing board | Start over |
| The elephant in the room | The problem nobody mentions |
| Only time will tell | We will know by [date] |
| Every cloud has a silver lining | Name the actual upside |
| Bite the bullet | Accept the cost and do it |
Beyond clichés
Every cliché, underlined in your draft
Paste your draft into Gorby and the Review panel lists every cliché next to hard-to-read sentences, passive voice, redundant phrases, and more. Rewrite each one where it appears.
- Nearly 2,000 clichés with Pro
- Five writing checks, free
- No sign-up to start
Rewriting
Three ways to fix a cliché
Say what you mean
Ask what the cliché stands in for, then write that instead.
Our new onboarding is a game of two halves.
Sign-up takes two minutes, but setup still takes an hour.
Use a detail
A specific number, name, or moment does the job a stock image cannot.
The team went the extra mile for the launch.
The team tested the checkout on 40 devices before launch.
Cut it
Many clichés are filler. Delete one and read the sentence again.
In a nutshell, the update fixes three bugs.
The update fixes three bugs.
Free finder vs Gorby Pro
Find them here. Fix them in Gorby.
The free finder tells you how many clichés are in your text and names the common ones. Gorby Pro shows every cliché right where it appears, next to the rest of your suggestions.
| Feature | Free finder | Gorby Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Checks your text against nearly 2,000 clichés | ||
| Clichés listed by name | Up to 10 common ones | Every one |
| Clichés underlined in your text | ||
| Select a cliché to jump to it | ||
| 10 other writing checks, like passive voice | ||
| Web app and Windows desktop app |
Common questions
Cliché finder FAQ
What does the cliché finder do?
It checks your text for clichés, the stock phrases readers have seen so often they skim past them, like "at the end of the day" or "low-hanging fruit". It counts every cliché it finds and lists the most common ones by name, so you know what to rewrite.
How many clichés does it check for?
Nearly 2,000, the same list Gorby Pro uses. The free finder lists up to 10 clichés by name, picked from about 280 of the most common ones. Any others are included in the total, and Gorby Pro shows every one.
Why are some clichés only shown in Gorby Pro?
The free finder is a quick check. It names up to 10 well-known clichés and counts the rest, so you always know how many are in your text. Gorby Pro lists every cliché and underlines each one in your draft, so you can rewrite it where it appears.
Are clichés always bad?
No. A cliché can work in dialogue, in a deliberate play on words, or when it really is the clearest way to say something. The problem is the ones you did not notice. Use the list to decide which ones earn their place.
Does the cliché finder suggest replacements?
No. The best replacement depends on what you are trying to say, so the rewrite is up to you. The table and tips on this page are a good place to start, and our free synonym finder helps when you need a different word.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. The check runs in your browser, so your text never leaves your device. Nothing is saved after you close the page.
How do I see every cliché in my text?
Open your draft in Gorby with a Pro plan. The Review panel in the Write view lists every cliché along with your other suggestions, and Cliché Detection in the Text Checks and Highlights view underlines each one in your text.
Keep editing
More free writing tools
Redundancy Checker
Find phrases that say it twice, like "end result" and "free gift".
Find redundanciesSynonym Finder
Found a cliché? Look up a clearer word to say what you actually mean.
Find synonymsAdverb Finder
Spot the adverbs propping up weak verbs, so you can pick stronger ones.
Find adverbsWord Counter
Count words, characters, and sentences, plus reading and speaking time.
Count wordsSay it in your own words
Start free with five writing checks, no sign-up required. Go Pro to catch every cliché as you write.