Dictionary Of Cliches by Betty Kirkpatrick (Bloomsbury, £6.99).

GEORGE Orwell famously warned aspiring writers against the dreaded cliche in his celebrated essay on the use of English.

Easier said than done, George. For the cliche lurks everywhere, ready to be picked like ripe fruit hanging on the bough. So you think you're immune? Dream on, deluded one.

Betty Kirkpatrick presents us with more than 1,300 familiar phrases which she explores and explains. You didn't think there could be that many? Well, we're not exactly talking grains of sand on the beaches of the world - nevertheless the little devils tend to crop up everywhere.

But, thankfully, there are those of us who are obviously immune. After all, nothing ventured nothing gained, it's not to be sneezed at for there is no accounting for taste.

In fact, the author's certainly not flogging a dead horse even if flattery will get us nowhere.

However, to cut a long story short, let's just say that between you and me, this book is really the bees knees.

There - it's easy. Not a cliche in sight...

John Phillpott

Actually, it's a hard act to follow and this book goes from strength-to-strength if we can get down to brass tacks.