08-22-2020, 09:02 AM
I don't think there's a real difference outside of when they are used in writing.
I think the main difference would be when idioms/cliches are are used in dialogue, and dialogue is not heavily used in poetry.
People speak in idioms and cliches all the time, it's natural - when used in dialogue, I don't have a problem with cliches/idioms, it's simply realism.
When idioms or cliches are used in prose or really any form of writing other than dialogue, it is usually just laziness - this is creative writing and cliches and idioms are generally not creative.
My own definition would be cliches and idioms are essentially the same thing, but I would call it an idiom (acceptable) when used in dialogue, and cliche (lazy) when used in almost anything else.
Of course there are exceptions, and I'm sure there are some great examples of cliches being used to great effect in non-dialogue writing, but it would definitely be the exception, rather than the rule.
I think the main difference would be when idioms/cliches are are used in dialogue, and dialogue is not heavily used in poetry.
People speak in idioms and cliches all the time, it's natural - when used in dialogue, I don't have a problem with cliches/idioms, it's simply realism.
When idioms or cliches are used in prose or really any form of writing other than dialogue, it is usually just laziness - this is creative writing and cliches and idioms are generally not creative.
My own definition would be cliches and idioms are essentially the same thing, but I would call it an idiom (acceptable) when used in dialogue, and cliche (lazy) when used in almost anything else.
Of course there are exceptions, and I'm sure there are some great examples of cliches being used to great effect in non-dialogue writing, but it would definitely be the exception, rather than the rule.