If you’ve ever cringed at hearing “It is what it is” or rolled your eyes at someone saying “No offense…” before delivering something totally offensive, you’re definitely not alone. Some expressions are so irritating, so overused, or so grammatically cursed that hearing them once more might just push us over the edge.
We asked our Facebook audience, “ If you could ban one annoying phrase from existence forever, what would it be?” and holy moly, did the floodgates open. Typically, a given question might rack up around 5,000 comments—but this one? Over 14,000. People shared responses that were funny, petty, brutally honest, and occasionally downright poignant. From phrases that try (and fail) to sound wise, to those so overused they've lost all meaning entirely—here are the top contenders folks are completely done with.
The one phrase nearly everyone wants to vanish
By far the most repeated offender was:
“It is what it is.”
Over and over, users cited this as the ultimate non-response. It’s dismissive, it ends conversations, and it offers exactly zero comfort or help.
Another big category? Expressions meant to comfort that end up being painful or insulting. These include:
- “Thoughts and prayers”
- “Everything happens for a reason”
- “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle”
- “They’re in a better place”
- “Time heals all wounds”
Many commenters explained that these phrases, while often well-intentioned, feel dismissive in times of grief or hardship.
Grammar gripes and word crimes
Grammar lovers had a lot of feelings. Some of the most-cited “please stop saying this” phrases included:
- “Should of” instead of “should have”
- “I seen it”
- “Irregardless” (it’s not a word, folks!)
- “Literally” used incorrectly
- “On accident” instead of “by accident”
And let’s not forget the collective rage over “pacifically” when people mean “specifically.”
Words that reveal more than they intend
Several users took issue with phrases that feel passive-aggressive or intellectually lazy, such as:
- “To be honest…” or “Honestly…”
- “I’m not gonna lie…”
- “You know what I mean?”
- “At the end of the day…”
As user Jacqueline C. put it, “'To be honest...' What does that mean? That you're not honest any other time?”
Phrases tied to racism, sexism, or toxic positivity
A significant number of respondents took aim at harmful or politically charged phrases. Among them:
- “Go back to your country”
- “Boys will be boys”
- “You’d be prettier if you smiled”
- “No offense…”
These comments weren’t just about annoyance—they were about the emotional weight and social impact of language.
James G. didn’t mince words when he wrote: “‘Go back to your country, then’ 🤬. The epitome of racist. I love my country, plus my ancestors did not ASK to be brought here the way they were.”
Corporate speak and empty buzzwords
You knew these were coming.
- “Game changer”
- “Low-hanging fruit”
- “Pivot”
- “Impact” as a verb
- “Reach out”
These phrases sparked a different kind of rage—one reserved for staff meetings and marketing emails.
Iris H. summed it up: “Most corporate speak. Downsizing. Low hanging fruit. Pivot. etc…..” Just say what you mean, please.
Why this resonated so deeply
There’s something unifying about shared irritation. These phrases might seem harmless or routine, but for many people, they’re like verbal paper cuts—tiny annoyances that, over time, sting a lot more than they should.
Whether it’s poor grammar, dismissive condolences, or flat-out hate speech in disguise, we’re collectively craving language that’s thoughtful, clear, and kind.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for one of these expressions, take a beat. Maybe there’s a better way to say what you mean. Or maybe… just don’t say anything at all.
And if you’ve got your own phrase that should be banished from existence? Don’t worry—there’s still time to add to the list.
Got another phrase that needs to go? Drop it in the comments on our original Facebook post.
Bonus: The top five most hated phrases from our poll
- “It is what it is”
- “Thoughts and prayers”
- “Everything happens for a reason”
- “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle”
- “To be honest…”
Let’s make 2025 the year we finally stop saying all of them.
Representative Image Source: Pexels | Joao Pedro Lisboa
An actress laughs after forgetting her line, using a bit of surprisingly familiar 'salty' language. Public Domain
It's rough getting through a line when you're gagging on your drink. Public Domain
The one phrase people most want to ban forever—and 20 more that drive us all nuts
Over 14,000 people responded to our question: "What’s one phrase you’d ban forever?"
Couple has annoying conversation