Crossword Genius

Clichéd plot device (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trope

(Other definitions for trope that I've seen before include "in a manner of speaking?" , "Recurrent theme, motif" , "Word or expression used in a figurative way" , "metaphor, perhaps" , "Image, figure of speech" .)

I've seen this clue in The Wall Street Journal.
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