It’s easy when drafting to slip in cliche phrases for lack of more creative writing. And in a first draft, that’s probably okay. However, it can be hard once you’re familiar with your story to pick out the phrases when you go back to edit.

I was watching one of my favorite early-2000’s tv series, Once Upon a Time. The first season and a half are a gold mine of cliches in case you’re ever wanting a refresher course. As the seasons progress, the dialogue does improve. By season three, the dialogue greatly improves, but the cliches continue. Most of them now are cliche are cliche due to overuse within the series itself.

Here is a list of some of my favorites from season 3 episode 19. (There are also quite a few good zingers and genuinely funny lines).

Threatening the future of my child.

A second chance

Use mine for the both of us. (heart)

Break this curse

Power of Belief

People I love

Nothing that can’t be undone

Lying to me

True love

Don’t stop no matter what you hear.

We’ve always shared one heart. Our baby will know me through your heart.

I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you. I’ll love you until my last.

I believe my heart is strong enough for both of us.

I can’t trust you now, how could you?

This was not the best episode for uncovering cliches. Many of these are simply overused in the show itself, but several are phrases that show up in television, film, and literature quite often. Next time you watch a movie, tv show, or read a book, see if you can spot some of your own.