How do we identify the cliches from phrases, quotes, quotations, proverbs and other popular...

The best definition that I know of for a cliche is that a cliche is a trite phrase.  That means that it is one that has been used so much that it is in fact overused.  So, typically, a cliche...

Cliches can be phrases, quotes, proverbs or any other often used expressions. In general cliches represent some of the best of such expressions, but which have been used so much that there is no novelty left in their use.

When a person comes across for the first time an expression that has moved in the class of cliches by its over use, the person has no way of knowing this. The only way a person can classify an expression as a cliche or otherwise is on the basis of how often he or she has come across the expression. Thus, classification of a cliche is very much a matter of personal experience, judgment and preferences.

The overused nature of the expression usually confirms that it is a cliche.  For example, when one hears a politician say, "We are going to study the problem," or an athlete say, "We are going...