Month: March 2022

During the perceived race to reduce every word in the English language to six letters or less, our abilities to express ourselves have become stale. Trite expressions have, as a result, seemingly swamped our language, thereby, effectively stifling many from developing a broad vocabulary.

Therefore, I have attempted to draw attention to the overuse of such expressions and, hopefully, provided some alternatives for the young to employ.

Will it fly? Will it be accepted/successful?

Not out of the woods, yet! not totally free from restrictions/yet to be completely achieved

…coming from implying, claiming

I’m not with you! I don’t understand/comprehend.

Talk us through it. explain/describe/elucidate

…stayed strong prevailed/persevered

a whole bunch numerous, various

gone to ground is in hiding/disappeared/cannot be located or contacted

big take-away gleaned/learned much from

go with decide/choose/elect(to)

set in concrete unanimously finalised/unalterable

come up to speed become more learned/knowledgeable/familiarise oneself with

play out eventuate, transpire

onboard in agreement with/in favour of

hit reached, attained

…began to pick up increased/intensified

…brought up to speed thoroughly informed or advised/familiarised with/updated

watch this space be alert, aware, prepared

a huge spend a massive or exorbitant expenditure/payment/cost/outlay

went public publicised, proclaimed, advertised

set you back cost/penalise/prohibit(from)

take us through explain/describe/elucidate(upon)

go for select, choose

It is what it is! unchangeable/unavoidable/real

lost the plot became distracted/diverted(from)/unduly influenced(by)

not looking too flash unimpressive/unwell/shabbily constructed

a straight shooter honest, dependable, truthful, trustworthy

copped received/blamed or treated unjustly

the jury is still out a matter remains unresolved/a decision is yet to be agreed upon

a roadmap a directive/a course of action

a tough ask asking much/extremely challenging or difficult

good to go prepared, ready, eager, keen

really hanging out for it expectantly longing or yearning for/eagerly anticipating

a game-changer revolutionary/hitherto unheralded/extremely efficacious

back on track focused upon/revived/restored/reestablished

knocked it out of the park excelled/astonished/performed with distinction

off their faces under the influence of…/uncontrollable

lose the… delete/remove/refrain(from)/desist

doing it tough struggling to cope/experiencing hardship/persevering, despite adversity

dropped on their heads suddenly inconvenienced or traumatised

on the same page in unison/total agreement or support

one size fits all uniformity/wholism

further down the track forseeably/in the future

up front with honest, truthful, frank

knocked it on the head cancelled/aborted/forbade

blows my mind amazes, astonishes me

give it a red-hot crack try extremely hard/display unyielding determination/give of one’s all

a hard sell a difficult message or measure to convey or enact upon

crack into obtain selection/gain admittance to

a knife’s edge teetering upon/perilous

the end game the expected or anticipated result/the desired conclusion

the must-haves the essentials/imperatives

anytime soon in the near or foreseeable future/shortly

a game-changer revolutionary/highly effective/unprecedented

a knock-on effect consequential, resultant or subsequent effect

under the pump experiencing extreme or severe pressure

does not stack up is unprofitable, unsustainable, unworthy

flipped and flopped vacillated, wavered

isn’t going to wash will be unacceptable/unfeasible/irrelevant

hit on one thing mention one matter, topic or agenda

straight down the line impartial, fair, honest

kicked-off began, commenced, started

the can has been kicked down the road a decision has been delayed; no agreement has been reached or accepted

a level playing field fairness, impartiality, equality

it’s all on the line in jeopardy, uncertain, at stake

up for grabs available, attainable, free

given a free ride shown leniency or partiality

the get-go the beginning, start or commencement

calm the farm restore tranquility/equilibrium/order

be on the same page be in full agreement/display cooperation

get a handle on it understand, comprehend

down the track/line in the future, at a later date

ticked a lot of boxes possessed many favourable aspects; was essentially suitable

kicked in became efficacious; assisted, helped

moved the goalposts altered the rules; reneged; revoked

singing from the same song/hymn sheet is/are in full agreement; in unison

good-to-go ready, prepared; approved

a must-see essential or imperative viewing

when the rubber hits the road one experiences adversity, hardship or unforeseen or resultant consequences

going public preparing to publicise or express to the public

gum up paralyse, blockade, stymie

a no-brainer obvious; elementary

ramp up increase substantially; intensify

tad slight; minuscule or almost imperceptible (amount, alteration or change)

Should my perceived alternatives to this everyday drivel be wide of the mark (wayward, erroneous or incorrect), please, forgive me.