USAGE 2: CLICHE

The politician hammered the nail of his argument.

• The politician hammered

• hammered the nail

• hammered the nail of his argument

The procession of masqueraders paraded the street with great pomp and splendour.

• pomp and splendour

• The procession of masqueraders

• paraded the streets

When the villagers heard of the impending storm, they threw caution to the wind.

• the villagers heard

• threw caution to the wind

• heard of the impending storm

He has been fishing in troubled waters all his life.

• all his life

• He has been fishing

• fishing in troubled waters

It is difficult to get the document because of the red tape surrounding it.

• get the document

• tape surrounding it

• red tape

The investigator left no stone unturned in his search for the truth.

• left no stone unturned

• search for the truth

• The investigator left no stone

In this day and age things are hard to come by.

• hard to come by

• in this day and age

• things are hard

Youngsters are warned to make hay while the sun shines in order to help them focus on completing the most important tasks.

• make hay while the sun shines

• order to help them focus

• completing the most important tasks

The footballer was told to break the ice before the second half of the match.

• The footballer was told.

• second half of the match

• break the ice

If you put your hands to the plough you would certainly succeed.

• put your hands to the plough

• you would certainly succeed

• If you put