Cliché: as the crow flies

Meaning: in a straight line, by the shortest route (as a crow would fly) (example)


Rewrite 1: as the plane flies
Rewrite 2: as the gaggle travels
Rewrite 3: as the wind flows
Rewrite 4: as the clouds cross
Rewrite 5: as the stars pass overhead


Comment: Crows fly place to place versus some of the examples I've given, which are things that over, thus avoiding turns, hills, valleys, detours, etc. Planes do apply to the original example, because they fly directly place to place, although not so much if they end up stacking over a landing site. So, be careful of your metaphors. The important thing is getting there directly, in as short a route as possible.
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Cliché: a wet blanket

Meaning: Someone who or something that discourages (example 1) (example 2)


Rewrite 1: a warm, dank night
Rewrite 2: a cold sheet on a cold night
Rewrite 3: a power outage at a gamer con
Rewrite 4: a tire mired in mud


Comment: "A warm blanket" is an evocative metaphor for something that discourages, in this case, that dampens or smothers enthusiasm. I was initially going for other things that evoked a sense response, then broadened the meaning to other situations that might discourage by getting in the way or interrupting progress.


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