Most annoying office cliches revealed

At the end of the day, it's not rocket science - office workers hate cliches. 

A study has found the phrase 'at the end of the day' to be the most commonly used and most annoying office cliche in Britain. 

The phrase `At the end of the day' is said on average at least three times-a-day in every workplace, the Daily Mail reported.

'What goes around, comes around' came in second, while 'it's not rocket science' was third.

`Thinking outside the box' was fourth on the list and fifth place was taken by the saying 'flogging a dead horse'.

The study also found six out of 10 employees hate it when their boss churns out cliche after cliche.

And six out of 10 said they believed colleagues made a fool of themselves when they uttered the phrases, the Daily Mail reported.

Dorcas Pratt, Director of International Development for an equestrian charity The Brooke, said everyone has pet hates when it comes to office cliches.

‘``When someone says “at the end of the day”, many people cringe, and this can mean they no longer listen to the rest of the conversation properly.

‘``However, cliches can be a great way of getting a point across and help people really understand what you mean.’ 

The study also found that one in three bosses have pulled an employee to one side to ask them not to use cliches in meetings with clients.

TOP 20 OFFICE CLICHES 

1. 'At the end of the day'
2. 'What goes around, comes around'
3. ‘It's not rocket science'
4. 'Thinking outside the box'
5. 'Flogging a dead horse'
6. 'Don't shoot the messenger'
7. Going forward'
8. 'By the close of play'
9. 'Give you the heads up'
10. 'Live and learn'
11. 'C'est la vie'
12. 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket'
13. 'Hit the ground running' 
14. ‘Always look on the bright side of life'
15. 'Suck it and see'
16. 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth'
17. 'Don't worry, be happy'
18. ‘I know it's a big ask'
19. 'I'm out'
20. 'There are no flies on me'

HAVE YOUR SAY: What phrase drives you mad?

- © Fairfax NZ News