What do you call an expression that has become overused and lost its original meaning?

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A cliche is an expression that has been used so frequently that it has lost its original impact or meaning. This term often refers to phrases or ideas that were once fresh and creative but have become predictable and unoriginal due to extensive use. Cliches can appear in various contexts, such as writing, conversation, and media, where they no longer evoke strong feelings or convey a novel idea.

Idioms are phrases whose meanings are not deducible from the individual words, and they maintain their unique meanings even after frequent use. An anachronism refers to something that is out of its time, often creating a juxtaposition of different historical contexts. Parody involves imitating someone or something for comedic effect, and it does not apply to expressions that have lost their meaning due to overuse. Thus, the term cliche accurately captures the notion of an overused expression that has diminished in significance.

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