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.