Foolish decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Foolish decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a choice or judgment that is considered unwise or lacking in good sense. Example: "Choosing to invest all his savings in a failing business was a foolish decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Foolish decision", she answered – we would no longer be able to distinguish between the two vaccines.

The Guardian

It was a foolish decision.

The Guardian

And I've never seen a more foolish decision.

The New York Times

"I think it's a foolish decision," he said.

The Guardian

Pigheaded pursuit of a foolish decision is not courageous.

The New York Times

Most faculty colleagues thought he was making a foolish decision when he decided to go.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He should worry about making foolish decisions.

The Economist

And we helped them with some of our foolish decisions".

The New York Times - Sports

And when companies are blinded by their own saliva, they can make foolish decisions.

The Economist

Indeed, some companies appear to have made foolish decisions in declining hostile offers.

The New York Times

People make foolish decisions with their own money as well as others'.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Foolish decision" when you want to explicitly criticize the lack of common sense behind an action, particularly in opinion pieces, sports reporting or narrative writing.

Common error

In strictly objective or scientific reporting, "Foolish decision" can sound overly subjective or emotional. Opt for more clinical terms like "suboptimal choice" or "ill-advised strategy" to maintain a neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

"Foolish decision" is a standard noun phrase where the adjective "foolish" functions as an attributive modifier for the noun "decision". Ludwig AI identifies this as a perfectly valid and high-frequency construction in modern English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Foolish decision" is a robust and effective tool in the English language for expressing critical evaluation. With over 50 exact matches found in the Ludwig database, it is clear that this phrase is a staple of professional journalism and high-level commentary. While it is direct and carries a strong negative connotation, its frequent appearance in prestigious outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian proves its utility in serious discourse. Writers should feel confident using it to highlight mistakes, though they may consider softer synonyms in highly sensitive corporate environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unwise choice

A more neutral and slightly softer way to describe a bad decision

Ill-advised move

Often used in political or strategic contexts to suggest lack of counsel

Poor judgment

Focuses on the cognitive failure of the decider rather than the act itself

Imprudent act

A more formal, legalistic alternative indicating a lack of care for consequences

Rash call

Suggests a decision made too quickly without proper reflection

Misguided step

Implies that the decision was based on faulty reasoning or bad information

Wrongheaded move

Suggests a stubborn or fundamentally flawed approach

Irrational conclusion

Focuses on the logical failure leading to the choice

Boneheaded error

A much more informal and insulting way to describe a mistake

Lapse in judgment

Suggests the foolishness was a temporary departure from usual wisdom

FAQs

How to use "Foolish decision" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct object or a subject complement, for example: "Leaving the house without an umbrella turned out to be a "Foolish decision"."

What can I say instead of "Foolish decision"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unwise choice", "ill-advised move" or "poor judgment".

Which is correct, "Foolish decision" or "Foolishly decision"?

The correct form is "Foolish decision" because "foolish" is an adjective that modifies the noun "decision". "Foolishly" is an adverb and would only be used to modify a verb, such as in "He decided foolishly."

Is "Foolish decision" too informal for business writing?

While common in business journalism, it can be blunt. In internal reports, you might prefer "imprudent action" or "misguided approach" to sound more professional.