Page 962 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Practice 25-3 Avoiding Clichés

Underline the two clichés in each sentence; then rewrite the sentence

to eliminate the clichés.

1. Some older people become sick or depressed, but my

grandmother is fit as a fiddle and happy as a clam.

2. Sara eats like a horse, but she is still as thin as a rail.

3. I heard that Mrs. Jones was as sick as a dog and probably not
long for this world.

4. When office gossip landed Kerry in hot water with her boss, she

decided to take the bull by the horns.

5. Preston has been on thin ice at work for some time now, and if

you ask me, the handwriting is on the wall.