hackneyed - (of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite

Ricky was ready to tell his boss he was completely prepared for the job, but he wanted to avoid being told a hackneyed expression like "make sure you have his ducks in a row."
ringleader - Someone who is the main influence or motivator behind a particular action or event, especially a disruptive or controversial one.

The police managed to arrest the ringleader of the gang, who had coordinated the series of robberies across the city.