Prompts

Have fun with clichés . . . Prompt #690

Let’s play with clichés.

It goes like this:

I’ll write some clichés with missing words.

You get to fill in the missing words. It’s sort of like Mad Libs.

For example:

More than one way to skin a cat becomes: More than one way to [verb] a [noun].

Ready? There are no wrong answers!

  1. It’s [verb ending in “ing”] [noun] and [noun]
  2. You can’t [verb] a [noun] by its [noun]
  3. The [noun] [verb] always [adjective or noun] on the other [noun]
  4. [Verb] your [noun] right
  5. It’s an uphill [noun]
  6. [Verb] between the [plural noun]
  7. A [noun] is only as [verb] as its weakest [noun]
  8. A [noun] and his [noun] are soon [verb, past tense]
  9. A [noun] of a different [noun]
  10.  A [noun] of a [number] [verb] begins with the first [verb]

Whatever responses you came up are fine. Can you use any of your re-imagined cliches in your writing?

Clichés used:

  1. It’s raining cats and dogs
  2. You can’t judge a book by its cover
  3. The grass is always greener on the other side
  4. Play your cards right
  5. It’s an uphill battle
  6. Read between the lines
  7. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
  8. A fool and his money are soon parted
  9. a horse of a different color
  10. A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step

Definition of cliché

cliché is a tired, stale phrase or idiom that, because of overuse, has lost its impact. What was once a fresh way of looking at something has become a weak prop for writing that feels unimaginative and dull. Clichés are what you write when you don’t have the energy or inspiration to think of a new way to express an idea.

More clichés. (scroll down)

Prompt inspired from the Sept/Oct 2022 issue of Poets & Writers magazine.

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