Difference Wiki

Idiom vs. Cliché

The main difference between Idiom and Cliché is that Idiom bears a positive impression, whereas Cliché bears a negative impression.

Key Differences

An idiom is defined as an expression that possesses its apparent idea different from its real idea, while a cliché is defined as an expression that possesses its apparent idea relating closely to its real idea.
An idiom can be taken as a constant phrase, whereas a cliché can be considered as a variable phrase.
Using idioms in writing is reflected as a sign of good quality writing. Contrarily, using clichés in writing, is taken as a sign of poor quality writing.
An idiom maintains its freshness and novelty all the time. On the other hand, clichés have become dull and dreadful due to their exhaustive and extreme usage in everyday language.
Idioms take figurative meaning but no literal meaning, while cliché possesses both figurative as well as literal meaning.
An idiom cannot be assumed as they have strong logic behind them, but a cliché can be understood relatively easier as it is commonly used phrase in daily routine.
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Idiom's types include transparent and opaque idioms, whereas cliché's types include figurative and literal clichés.
Samantha Walker
Apr 20, 2020
An idiom does not lack original thought. Conversely, a cliché is devoid of common sense and meaningful notions.
Aimie Carlson
Apr 20, 2020
Idiom's usage gives positive vibes; on the flip side, cliché's usage gives negative vibes.
Samantha Walker
Apr 20, 2020
Some idioms can be deliberated as figurative clichés, but no cliché can be referred to as an idiom.

Comparison Chart

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A fixed phrase or saying with its figurative meaning different from its apparent meaning is called an idiom.
An overused statement lacking the original meaning is called cliché.

Complete Sense

Conveys complete sense
Does not convey a complete sense
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Usage

Used with need
Excessive misuse

Figurative Meaning

Has figurative meaning
Has figurative meaning
Janet White
Apr 20, 2020

Literal Meaning

No literal meaning
Has literal meaning
Aimie Carlson
Apr 20, 2020

Original Meaning

Expresses original meaning
No original meaning at all
Janet White
Apr 20, 2020

Irritation Factor

Does not exist
Exists

Idiom and Cliché Definitions

Idiom

A speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements, as in keep tabs on.
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Cliche

A trite or overused expression or idea
"Even while the phrase was degenerating to cliché in ordinary public use ... scholars were giving it increasing attention" (Anthony Brandt).

Idiom

The specific grammatical, syntactic, and structural character of a given language.

Cliche

A person or character whose behavior is predictable or superficial
"There is a young explorer ... who turns out not to be quite the cliche expected" (John Crowley).

Idiom

Regional speech or dialect.

Cliche

Usage Problem Clichéd.

Idiom

A specialized vocabulary used by a group of people; jargon
Legal idiom.

Cliche

Alternative form of cliché

Idiom

A style of artistic expression characteristic of a particular individual, school, period, or medium
The idiom of the French impressionists.
The punk rock idiom.

Cliche

Alternative form of cliché

Idiom

A manner of speaking, a mode of expression peculiar to a language, language family, or group of people.
In English, idiom requires the indefinite article in a phrase such as "she's an engineer", whereas in Spanish, idiom forbids it.
Some of the usage prescriptions improved clarity and were kept; others that yielded discordant violations of idiom were eventually revised.

Cliche

A stereotype plate or any similar reproduction of ornament, or lettering, in relief.

Idiom

(programming) A programming construct or phraseology that is characteristic of the language.

Cliche

A trite or obvious remark.

Idiom

A language or language variety; specifically, a restricted dialect used in a given historical period, context etc.
In the idiom of the day, they were sutlers, although today they'd probably be called vendors.

Cliche

A trite or obvious remark

Idiom

An established phrasal expression whose meaning may not be deducible from the literal meanings of its component words.
She often spoke in idioms, pining for salad days and complaining about pots calling the kettle black.

Idiom

An artistic style (for example, in art, architecture, or music); an instance of such a style.
The idiom of the expressionists

Idiom

The syntactical or structural form peculiar to any language; the genius or cast of a language.
Idiom may be employed loosely and figuratively as a synonym of language or dialect, but in its proper sense it signifies the totality of the general rules of construction which characterize the syntax of a particular language and distinguish it from other tongues.
By idiom is meant the use of words which is peculiar to a particular language.
He followed their language [the Latin], but did not comply with the idiom of ours.

Idiom

An expression conforming or appropriate to the peculiar structural form of a language.
Some that with care true eloquence shall teach,And to just idioms fix our doubtful speech.

Idiom

A combination of words having a meaning peculiar to itself and not predictable as a combination of the meanings of the individual words, but sanctioned by usage; as, an idiomatic expression; less commonly, a single word used in a peculiar sense.
It is not by means of rules that such idioms as the following are made current: "I can make nothing of it." "He treats his subject home." Dryden. "It is that within us that makes for righteousness." M. Arnold.
Sometimes we identify the words with the object - though by courtesy of idiom rather than in strict propriety of language.

Idiom

The phrase forms peculiar to a particular author; as, written in his own idiom.
Every good writer has much idiom.

Idiom

Dialect; a variant form of a language.

Idiom

A manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

Idiom

The usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people;
The immigrants spoke an odd dialect of English
He has a strong German accent

Idiom

The style of a particular artist or school or movement;
An imaginative orchestral idiom

Idiom

An expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up

Idiom vs. Cliché

An idiom is a fixed phrase, while cliché is a mutative phrase. The expression having a symbolic meaning different from its precise meaning is called idiom, whereas an overused opinion that shows the absence of original thought is called cliché.

Idiom has a figurative or abstract meaning; it lacks factual meaning. On the other hand, cliché has symbolic as well as accurate meaning. Idiom usage is considered positive, while cliché usage is deemed to be negative.

Idioms are used as they are created, while clichés have become dreary and repetitive due to their overuse. Idioms cannot be changed into another language, whereas clichés can be transformed into any language according to their hunches.

An idiom can also be presented as the unique and peculiar characteristics of every language, culture, and society. On the other hand, clichés are the terminologies or phrases that were considered novel earlier in times but now are considered draggy and exhausting because of extreme usage of them.

The idiom “It’s no skin off my nose” means it doesn’t affect me at all. It cannot be interpreted as if it is related to skin or nose. This example implies that idioms have figurative meanings hidden in them but no literal meaning at all. Conversely, in cliché, the phrase “Last but not least” is a very nice saying, but due to its excessive misuse in daily grunge of life, it has lost its novelty and freshness.

What is Idiom?

Fixed expressions having abstract meaning, but no exact meaning are called idioms. Idioms describe things in a distinctive way that makes them interesting. An idiom’s meaning cannot be inferred from its constituent words.

An idiom does not mean the way its words are describing. The concealed meaning behind them is abstract and literal. i.e., “Ali was pulling his brother’s leg.” This idiom does not mean that Ali was pulling the leg; it means Ali was deceiving his brother.

Examples

  • At the drop of a hat – means quickly
  • Cry over spilled milk – means good luck
  • Break a leg – means good luck
  • Hold your horse – means wait
  • Running cats and dogs – means raining heavily
  • Piece of cake – means an easy way
  • Cost an arm and leg – means very expensive
  • Bite your tongue – means confusion

Types

  • Opaque Idiom: The idioms whose literal meaning is not linked with the real meaning are called opaque idioms. A person cannot understand the real meaning of opaque idioms by their words. i.e., “To smell a rat” means something is mistaken.
  • Transparent Idiom: The idioms which are understandable a bit and their apparent meaning can be related to their real meaning, are called transparent idioms. i.e., “laying the cards on the table” means to make everything revealed, which makes sense with the literal meaning.

What is Cliché?

A cliché is a very typical and common expression that was originated at the changing times having situation related meaning in it. Over time, frequent usage of these phrases makes them lose their newness and uniqueness.

Some clichés refer to the thoughts which are true somehow. Some clichés refer to the ideas which are stereotypes and unlogical. Some cliches may point toward facts and figures, but the point is whatever kind of they are, they are still in use in our daily lives.

It is considered that clichés mostly convey negative intellect. Clichés can be understood easily as compared to idioms as they are commonly used.

Examples are; As fit as a fiddle, A matter of time, Mum’s the word, Beauty is only skin deep, Frightened to death, Read between the lines, Fall head over heels, As brave as a lion, etc. All these examples are easily understandable as they are used commonly.

Types

  • Figurative Cliché: The clichés having no literal meaning are called figurative clichés. These types of clichés do not make sense at all, even if they are translated into another language. i.e., “It is raining cats and dogs.” The meaning of heavily raining is not clear by this cliché, so it’s a figurative cliché.
  • Literal Cliché: The clichés having literal meaning are called literal clichés. If these clichés are translated to any other language, they can convey their meaning. i.e., “All is well that ends well.”

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