Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
commonplace
/ˈkɒmənˌpleɪs/
When used as an adjective, it describes something that happens often or is found everywhere. It usually has a neutral tone, but can sometimes imply that something is boring because it is too ordinary. When used as a noun, it refers to a cliché or a tired remark. In this form, it is more likely to be used in a critical or negative way to describe speech or writing that lacks creativity.
💬Casual Conversation
🎬Tuesday afternoon; Jessica is frantically updating the quarterly roadmap while Mr. Sterling is at a sensory deprivation spa.
Mr. Sterling
We must ban all meetings. Efficiency has become far too commonplace.
Jessica
Sir, if we scrap the syncs now, the whole launch will go south.
💡
Mr. Sterling uses 'commonplace' as an adjective to describe efficiency as something mundane and boring that needs to be disrupted. Jessica responds with the phrasal verb 'go south', meaning the project will fail or deteriorate rapidly.