Pleonasm

A pleonasm refers to the use of more words than they are necessary to express an idea i.e., redundancy. It is derived from a Greek word that means ‘excess’. Some people complicate the language for no reason. They have a habit of using redundant in sentences or with the combination of unwanted words.

In other words, a pleonasm is a redundant and tautological phrase or clause.

For example,

Judy is the cousin of Joshua.

Not: Judy is the cousin sister of Joshua.

• Tuna fish burger: We ordered a fish burger last night.
• My own eyes: I saw him with my eyes and confirm that he was behind this crime.
• Free gift: Every child loves to have a gift.
• Foreign imports: Most reading glasses are imports from Germany.
• ATM machines: you will have many ATMs in the vicinity, but a couple of them are out of operation today.
• Actual facts: It is always unwise to judge anyone until all facts are in.
• Busy in: James was busy gathering the required papers the other day.
• Circle around: When you circle the building, you will see a puppy near the bench.
• Could possibly: You could either accept or reject the validity of this paper.
• Current incumbent: The higher voting percentage suggests that the incumbent government will be defeated in this election.
• Crisis situation: during the financial crisis in the USA, there was a ripple effect on the banks worldwide.
• Confused state: I am confused about whether to accept this proposal or not.
• Cope up with something: he was not able to cope with the stress and the strains of the job, and hence he quit.
• Discuss on/about: We discussed this matter at length.
• Drop down: the topline revenues dropped to $13 million last year.
• Down south/ up north: As you move towards the north, the temperature will get cooler.
• Empty out: ‘Empty his pocket’ was a scream from the back.
• False pretense: Politicians are masters in engineering falsehoods and pretenses.
• Frozen tundra: North Asia is an arctic tundra in the winter time and therefore it is not a recommended neighborhood to live in.
• Hear with my own ears: I heard him clearly owning up to his few mistakes.
• Gather together: We gathered to discuss this matter last evening.
• It’s déjà vu all over again: A shiver crept down my spine as I experienced a sense of déjà vu.  
• Join together: Why don’t you join us tonight?
• Lift up: The US fed lifted the interest rate this month and cleared the uncertainties in the stock market.
• Meet together: Let’s all meet this weekend and have fun.
• New innovation: This innovation will disrupt the Information Technology world.
• Open up: Open the door. (open up means begin shooting).
• PIN number: Don’t ever share your PIN with anyone.
• Pursue after: I pursued this plan wholeheartedly so I don’t think that I can disown it.
• Raise up: It is time that the company has to raise the salary package of seniors.
• Revert back: Once you receive the email, please revert immediately.
• Safe haven: Some countries are a tax haven for tax evaders.
• Total destruction: The earthquake wreaked havoc and the city witnessed destruction at every corner of it.
• True fact: The fact remains unchallenged forever.
• Ultimate goal: my goal is to train students for a good score in the IELTS exam.
• Visible to the eyes: It is visible; one does not need to put efforts for the same.