An overused expression is a/an _________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the literary term that describes an expression that has been used so often that it has lost its freshness and originality.

Step 2: Explain each option

• A. Cliche: An expression, phrase, or idea that has been overused so much that it has lost its original force or meaning. Examples: "Time will tell," "Avoid it like the plague," "Last but not least," "Cry me a river."
• B. Cacophony: The use of harsh, jarring, unpleasant-sounding words or sounds, often for effect in poetry. This is about sound, not overuse.
• C. Epigram: A short, witty, memorable saying, often with a clever twist. Example: "The child is father of the man." It is clever and concise, not overused.
• D. Archetype: A universal symbol, character type, or pattern that recurs across literature and cultures, such as the hero, the trickster, or the wise old man. It is a recurring pattern, not a worn-out expression.

Step 3: Match the definition "Overused expression" matches cliche exactly. The other terms describe harsh sounds, witty sayings, and universal patterns.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. Cliche.

Exam tip: Remember that a cliche is a clichéd phrase that has become stale from too much use. For the other terms, link each to a key word:

• Cacophony: noise
• Epigram: witty and short
• Archetype: original pattern or model