The modern world is filled with people using complex-sounding phrases to appear intelligent, but in reality, these expressions often have the opposite effect.

The problem is that many of these phrases are overused, misused, or just unnecessary. While using the right words can make you sound confident and credible, the wrong ones can instantly confuse your audience and even make you seem clueless. Let’s learn more about phrases that could do more harm than good. Here’s what to avoid.

“Per my last email”

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You think you’re being professional, but let’s be honest—this phrase is code for “Can you read?” It often comes across as passive-aggressive, especially in workplace emails. A better approach is to be direct but polite: “Just following up on my previous email—let me know if you have any questions.”

“With all due respect”

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Nothing respectful ever follows this phrase. It’s the verbal equivalent of “No offense, but…”—and we all know what comes next is usually offensive. If you need to disagree, just do it politely: “I see your point, but here’s another perspective.”

 “Low-hanging fruit”

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Skip this tired corporate cliché unless you're actually picking apples. This phrase describes easy wins, but now it just makes people roll their eyes. Instead, try, “Let’s start with the simplest solution first.” It sounds more natural—and won’t make your coworkers cringe.

“It is what it is.”

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Translation: I have no idea how to fix this, so let’s just accept defeat. While this phrase sounds deep, it rarely adds value. If a situation is frustrating but unchangeable, a better response is, “Let’s focus on what we can control.” That sounds like leadership.

“Let’s circle back.”

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People love this phrase in meetings, but most of the time, it means, “Let’s avoid this for now and hope everyone forgets about it.” Instead, be specific: “Let’s revisit this after the quarterly report.” Clear timelines make you sound more organized.

“At the end of the day”

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This phrase is meant to wrap things up, but it’s so overused that it barely means anything anymore. Instead of relying on this filler, try cutting straight to the point: “The key takeaway is…” It’s stronger, clearer, and—ironically—makes you sound more intelligent.

“Thinking outside the box.”

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Real innovation doesn’t need a buzzword. And nothing says I’m inside the box, quite like using this phrase. If you really want to encourage creative thinking, say something more meaningful: “Let’s find a fresh approach” or “What’s a solution we haven’t considered yet?”

“You’re comparing apples to oranges.”

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People throw this phrase around to dismiss comparisons, but here’s the thing: apples and oranges can be compared. They’re both fruits, they both grow on trees, and they both end up in lunchboxes. Instead of shutting down a discussion, explain why the comparison doesn’t quite work.

“Going forward”

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This phrase is just unnecessary filler. If you’re talking about future actions, be direct: “Next quarter, we’ll focus on customer retention.” A clearer, more confident language that doesn’t waste words is appreciated.

“To be honest”

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What were you being before—dishonest? This phrase unintentionally suggests that your previous statements weren’t entirely truthful. If you need to emphasize sincerity, just say what you mean: “I really think this is the best approach.” This doesn’t even require an additional disclaimer.

“Touch base”

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Here’s another phrase that doesn’t add much value. It’s meant to suggest a quick check-in, but it sounds vague and corporate. Try saying, “Let’s touch base next week,” or “Let’s check in on Tuesday at 2 p.m.” Specificity makes you sound competent.

“Let’s take this offline.”

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This phrase screams, ‘This is awkward, and I’d rather not talk about it in front of everyone.’ Instead of using vague meeting jargon, try: “Let’s discuss this separately after the meeting.” It sounds more intentional and doesn’t make people wonder if they’re being shut out.

“I could care less.”

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People say this to show indifference, but the correct phrase is “I couldn’t care less.” If you could care less, that means you still care at least a little! This tiny mistake makes you sound less sharp than you probably are—so be careful with it.

“The fact of the matter is”

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If you need to state a fact, just state it. Adding unnecessary lead-ins like this weakens your point. Instead of saying, “The fact of the matter is, we need to cut costs,” just say, “We need to cut costs.” It’s more confident, and confidence sounds smart.

“It’s not rocket science.”

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Not everything is, but do we really need to keep saying it? This phrase can sound dismissive, especially if someone is struggling with a task. If something is simpler than it seems, a more helpful response is, “It’s actually pretty straightforward—here’s how it works.”

“I was today years old when I learned”

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This phrase is great for social media humor, but it can make you seem out of touch in real conversations. If you just learned something interesting, say, “I recently discovered that…” It keeps things engaging without sounding like a meme.