a bold figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bold figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is striking, confident, or stands out in a particular context, such as fashion, art, or personality. Example: "The artist presented a bold figure in her latest painting, capturing the essence of strength and individuality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A bold figure, after the blizzard?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her technique represented by the bold figure of a little girl about to turn a somersault.

The New York Times

The study group consisted of the 579 psychiatrists who had such consultations at least once a week (bold figures).

BMC Health Services Research

In table 1, the bold figure of 412 patients represents a conservative scenario, based on a SD of 25 and 90% power to detect the selected MCID.

BMJ Open

We should praise rather than deride someone who evidences the skill to lay out a bold goal, figure how to sway people to his side, make progress without compromising a larger objective and avoid making the perfect the enemy of the good.

The Washington Post

Pallas's first aria "La mia sorte fortunata", with its "wide-leaping melodic phrasing" introduces him as a bold, heroic figure, contrasting with his rival Narcissus whose introspective nature is displayed in his delicate aria "Volo pronto" which immediately follows.

Wikipedia

In the example in Table 2, weights are presented in bold figure: 'cost-effectiveness' and 'disease of the poor' are both assigned a value of 40, and the other criteria a value of 10.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

He began making bold figure studies and portraits in graphite and black crayon, in an expressionistic style.

The New York Times

The bold figure of 264 patients represents the most likely scenario, based on our current knowledge, for 90% power to detect the selected MCID.

BMJ Open

However, it does have two of the four critical cysteines displayed by APS reductase (highlighted in blue and bold, Figure 2).

BMC Genomics

In this case, cruzipain is presumed to cleave full-length FN1 at the valine residue in position 258 (highlighted in black bold, Figure  5C).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bold figure", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean someone courageous, visually striking, or prominent. The specific nuance depends on the surrounding words.

Common error

Avoid using "a bold figure" when you intend to convey arrogance or recklessness. The term generally implies positive traits like courage and confidence, not negative ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bold figure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "bold" modifies the noun "figure". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is used to describe someone or something that is striking or confident.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bold figure" is a versatile expression used to depict someone or something characterized by courage, prominence, or striking qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English writing. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. Understanding the intended meaning and nuances – whether it's emphasizing bravery, visual impact, or prominence – is crucial for effective communication. When searching for alternatives, consider options like ""a courageous individual"" or ""a daring personality"", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a courageous individual

Replaces "bold" with "courageous" and "figure" with "individual", focusing on bravery.

a daring personality

Substitutes "bold" with "daring" and "figure" with "personality", emphasizing risk-taking.

an audacious character

Replaces "bold" with "audacious" and "figure" with "character", highlighting impudence.

a striking person

Changes "bold" to "striking", focusing on visual impact rather than courage.

a fearless leader

Replaces "bold" with "fearless" and "figure" with "leader", indicating bravery in leadership.

an unconventional thinker

Shifts the focus to intellectual boldness and originality.

a prominent actor

Emphasizes importance and visibility rather than boldness.

an adventurous spirit

Focuses on a love for exploration and new experiences.

a revolutionary force

Highlights the power to cause significant change.

a decisive influence

Underlines the power to sway opinions and actions.

FAQs

How can I use "a bold figure" in a sentence?

You can use "a bold figure" to describe someone who is courageous and stands out, like "She was a bold figure in the fight for civil rights" or to describe something daring like "That budget foresaw 1998 growth at 5.8%. A bold figure, after the blizzard?"

What's a good alternative to "a bold figure"?

Depending on the context, you could use "a courageous individual", "a daring personality", or "an audacious character".

Is "a bold figure" formal or informal?

The phrase "a bold figure" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic writing.

What does it mean to be "a bold figure"?

Being "a bold figure" typically means being someone who is courageous, confident, and not afraid to take risks or stand up for what they believe in. It can also refer to someone visually striking or prominent.