If you’re using any of these 12 cringeworthy words or phrases, you might be sending the wrong message. People are judging you, and not in a good way. It’s time to clean up your vocabulary and stop sabotaging yourself with these linguistic faux pas. You want to sound smart, right? If so, avoid these phrases like the plague.
1. “It is what it is.”
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This phrase signals that you’re passive and unwilling to put in effort. It shows a lack of ambition or desire to change circumstances. Sometimes, it’s true, things happen outside your control. But using this phrase too often makes you seem like you’ve given up before even trying, which isn’t an attractive quality.
2. “Do you know who I am?”
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The ultimate power flex. This is the verbal equivalent of throwing your weight around and suggests you think you’re above everyone else. Unless you’re actually a celebrity running into a superfan, this phrase is unnecessary and obnoxious. It paints a pretty clear picture of your sense of entitlement.
3. “Like” used wayyy too much
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We all use filler words sometimes, but overusing “like” can make you sound unsure of yourself or lacking in vocabulary. Try to be mindful of your filler words and actively work on minimizing them. This will make you sound more polished and confident in your speech.
4. “I hate drama.”
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Ironically, people who say this often bring the drama themselves. It suggests you’re always in the middle of messy situations. It’s totally fine to dislike messy interpersonal conflicts, but constantly announcing it can make you seem like a magnet for trouble. Instead, try focusing on the positive aspects of your social life.
5. “For all intents and purposes” (and other misused phrases)
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Getting idioms wrong (“irregardless” anyone?) makes you look uneducated. It’s okay to not know a phrase; it’s worse to use it incorrectly. Double-check those tricky idioms or fancy phrases before using them. A quick Google search can save you from a lot of embarrassment.
6. “Honestly…” or “To be brutally honest…”
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Does this mean you’re not always honest? It makes you come across as unnecessarily harsh and potentially self-righteous. While honesty is a great policy, prefacing your sentences with this makes you sound overly critical. Let your words speak for themselves without the need for this added qualifier.
7. “My dad will sue you!” (or similar threats)
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Pulling out the “my dad/uncle/lawyer” card is childish. It screams that you can’t handle your own problems and need someone else to fight your battles. If you’re in a genuine situation where legal action is appropriate, state your intentions clearly without using family members as a threat.
8. “We’re like family here”
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Workplaces or friend groups that constantly push this likely aren’t so harmonious. It’s a phrase that often masks dysfunction rather than actual closeness. Real families have their ups and downs. Forcing this idea of constant familial closeness can feel manipulative and put pressure on people to hide genuine issues.
9. “Trust me”
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Demanding trust is a surefire way to lose it. If someone is truly trustworthy, they won’t have to announce it. Trust is earned through actions and consistency, not by simply stating that you should be trusted. Focus on building a reputation for reliability instead.
10. “I’m not racist/sexist/etc., BUT…”
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There’s rarely a good ending to a sentence that starts like this. It signals that you’re about to say something very much racist, sexist… you get the idea. If you need to clarify that you’re not discriminatory before making a statement, chances are the statement itself needs to be reworked.
11. “No offense, but…”
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This is basically a disclaimer that lets you think whatever you say next is okay, regardless of if it’s actually offensive. Proceed with caution. If you’re worried about offending someone, it’s better to rephrase your sentence entirely rather than relying on this get-out-of-jail-free card.
12. “I could care less”
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This misused phrase actually means the opposite of what you intend. If you could care less, that means you do care a little bit. Getting this wrong makes you seem less than sharp. It’s an easy mistake to fix! The correct phrase is “I couldn’t care less,” which signals your complete indifference.
