intrigue - To arouse curiosity and interest by unusual, new, and fascinating qualities
Though Steve didn't understand much about the field of Artificial Intelligence, he was intrigued about all the talk he heard about it, and he wanted to learn more about it.
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."