The most infuriating office cliché?

British animal charity The Brooke has announced the results of a survey to determine that country's most annoying office clichés. The Daily Mirror reports:

It might sound like a big ask going forward but, if you want to annoy colleagues, then cliches are the way to hit the ground running - but don't shoot the messenger.

A study has discovered that six out of 10 people think that their co-workers make fools of themselves when they utter the phrases at work.

The most common office cliche is "at the end of the day" which, as well as being a favourite saying of Premier League footballers, is used in the workplace an average of three times a day.

"What goes around, comes around" was the second most commonly heard phrase, while "it's not rocket science" was third, just ahead of "thinking outside the box". The research also found that one in three bosses had told employees not to use cliches in meetings with clients.

The poll of 3,000 people was carried out by equestrian charity The Brooke, which learned that "flogging a dead horse" was the fifth most common work phrase.

Dorcas Pratt, director of international development at the organisation, said: "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 helping people to understand what you mean."

There's more at the link.

The 20 most annoying office clichés in Britain, from worst to . . . well, less bad (!) were:

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'

I wonder what the top 20 would be in America? Any ideas? Please nominate your favorites (or worst nightmares) in Comments, and let's all have a laugh.

Peter