With all due respect, a compendium of the things we say, literally without thinking, all the time. I know, right?

       There are some trite expressions which too many of us use too frequently. Some are self-contradictory and some just plain gibberish or, at best, far off the mark of the intended concept or trope.

“Everything happens for a reason”:  Well of course that’s correct, but the phrase is most commonly used to explain away- why something has happened for which a reason is absent or unexplained by normal reasoning. This is sometimes just bewildering but, more often than not, simply maudlin, as in “Well the leukemia killed her, but everything happens for a reason!”  Makes one wonder, huh? (unless your particular deity likes to watch kids die.)

“Judge not lest ye be judged”: The corollary to this in the more modern idiom is “Don’t judge me” The former, of course, has its roots in Biblical “wisdom”, but think about how truly f****d up our lives would or could be if we didn’t make judgement calls, about the actions of others or choices we are faced with, oh, I don’t know, about every five minutes or so. Of course, this would also obviate essentially every legal system in history, as well as probably make for some truly damaging relationships if followed to the letter.

        The second version is usually said right after some either heinous or stupid action for which the actor is deeply shamed. Obviously, this was aimed at those whose behavior was questionable to the degree that they might not stand close scrutiny of their own behavior. Once again, if we fail to judge the actions of others, the rule of law vanishes.  

“With all due respect.”:  This oldie but not so goodie just won’t go away, will it? Usually used in a context something like, “Biff, with all due respect, you’re an asshole” There’s damned little respect to be had therein and none was intended, so just stop it.

"If someone would have told me a decade ago that in 10 years I'd be doing (whatever is happening when the conversation is transpiring), I would never have believed it." This assumes that it is a normal conversational convention for people to casually predict the future. If you met someone who said, "In 18 years you'll drive a yellow sedan that was manufactured in New Mexico." You would excuse yourself from the conversation and head for the nearest exit.

"That is really (absolutely, totally) unique.": There are no modifiers necessary for an absolute. “More uniquer” can’t exist, because that which is unique, is. Period.

“I was “literally” floored (awed, wiped out etc.)”: Either what you described happened precisely as you stated it and the word “literally” is wasted, or you are using a metaphor in which case literally is diametrically incorrect. If you are really tired and “literally drained” then, either Dracula slept over or, most probably, you misused the term. More examples: As stated, the first is when it's already clearly believable, as in- "Usually it takes me 20 minutes to get to work, but today it took me literally- literally, 35 minutes with traffic."- no one was going to ask you if you meant that figuratively, Sparky.  Secondly, and more ludicrous, is when people use "literally" when it isn't literal, as in, "my jaw literally hit the floor when I heard the news.".  So, you said, "literally" but should have said “figuratively.”

“Sadder but wiser” – This one is a bit different, in that one can actually be sadder and one can be wiser as well. The problem is that, statistically, those who through their own sheer “stupidity” are frequently “sadder”, all too rarely ever actually become even the tiniest bit “wiser.”

Here are some more, shortlisted in the interest of space:

“I, personally…”    Oh? Would that be as opposed to the collective you?”

“I know, right?”   I got nuthin’ here, it just makes anyone saying it sound like a 14year-old.

“At this moment in time.”   Oh, I get it, you meant “Now?”

Personal inverse fave of this type:

 “Whatever” frequently pronounced as two words with the accent on the “ever.” Of course, the implication is varied, but, more often than not, means, “I don’t care.”  Just once (or perhaps twice) I’d like to see some young, snotty, dweeb of either gender say this and from behind the curtain comes the Spanish Inquisition. “Aha! No one expects the Spanish inquisition!” Try saying “what-everrr” with a hot poker up your bum, heretic swine!

 Moving on a bit: Sports seems to have a trite idiom generator used by the “color Guys” in the booth. I’ll highlight a few of the most egregious examples of the genre.

“They Were Just the Better Team Today/They Wanted It More”

I doubt that we can really quantify “want” as a factor in and of itself. Using this expression almost makes it seem that the loser has a “want” deficit, when in fact the other team may just be superior athletes.

“The football”, The “basketball” (and, sometimes, “The baseball”)

It seems that many (most) announcers in these three American sports decided at some time in the past, that fans watching may forget which sporting event they’re watching. Other sports’ announcers don’t speak of “The hockey puck”, “The tennis ball”, or “The soccer ball. If you’re watching a bowling tournament, it’s highly likely they’re using bowling balls, capiche?