Cliché
"Time heals all wounds." This phrase has been used so often that its impact has diminished over time.
Motif
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the motif of blood appears multiple times, symbolizing guilt and the consequences of violent actions.
Archetype
The "hero" who goes on a journey, faces challenges, and eventually triumphs is an archetype seen in many stories, from ancient myths to modern movies.
Memeplex
Religious doctrines can be seen as memeplexes, where a set of beliefs and practices evolve and support one another.
Idiom
"Bite the bullet," which means to face a difficult situation or endure an unpleasant task.
Convention
In romantic comedies, it's a convention for two characters to initially dislike each other, only to fall in love by the end.
Platitude
"Everything happens for a reason."
Stereotype
The idea that all British people love tea or that all Americans love fast food.
Anecdote
"When I was traveling in Spain, I mistakenly ordered a dish thinking it was chicken, only to find out it was rabbit!"
Adage
"A penny saved is a penny earned."
Saw
"You can't have your cake and eat it too."
Maxim
"Actions speak louder than words."
Axiom
In mathematics, "Things that are equal to the same thing are equal to each other."
Formula
In chemistry, H2O represents water.
Pattern
In music, the 12-bar blues is a chord progression that forms the basis of many blues songs.
Theme
In George Orwell's "1984," one of the central themes is the dangers of totalitarianism.
Canon
The Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are considered the canon for that character.
Analogy
"Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer."
Paradigm
The geocentric model of the universe was once the dominant paradigm before the heliocentric model took its place.
Leitmotif
In Richard Wagner's operas, specific musical themes or leitmotifs are associated with individual characters or ideas. For instance, the "Ring" motif in his "Ring Cycle" operas.