a brazen move

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brazen move" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a bold or audacious action taken by someone. Example: The CEO's decision to fire half of the company's employees without warning was a brazen move that caused widespread outrage among the remaining staff.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Now, those ads — commonplace in the Kindle line — are a brazen move by Amazon.

The New York Times - Tech

But it's still a brazen move, as Mr. Scott seems keen to point out.

The New York Times

It was a brazen move by the 16-year-old Ahn, considering there was hardly any room to pass.

The New York Times - Sports

As a freshman lawmaker in 1951, he delivered a 28-page letter to General MacArthur criticizing the occupation, a brazen move.

The New York Times

And because of that, the foursome is well positioned to take advantage of a brazen move by YouTube to turn the migration of viewers and advertisers from traditional TV channels into an exodus.

Independent

Norilsk Nickel of Russia, the world's biggest palladium producer, sought today to allay growing investor anger over a reorganization plan that minority shareholders call a brazen move to dilute their stakes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Even by Bayern's standards, this is a pretty brazen move, designed to take out a key piece of Jürgen Klopp's lego fortress and put it on top of Bayern's.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, in a surprisingly brazen move, the Crimean parliament declared the peninsula a territory of Russia.

The Guardian

Exploiting the natural drama of Mucem's steep hillside setting, this is a brilliant, brazen move that, no matter what the museum houses, will provide one of Marseille's most thrilling new walks.

The Guardian - Arts

This is a pretty brazen move for the Republicans who signed on, as it essentially cedes control of the House floor to the Democrats.

Huffington Post

Looking back, I suppose it was a pretty brazen move, but I was young, dumb and impassioned enough not to care.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brazen move" to describe actions that are not only bold but also carry a significant risk of negative consequences or disapproval. It is useful to convey a sense of shock or disbelief at the audacity of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "a brazen move" when simply describing a bold or innovative action that is generally accepted. "Brazen" implies a level of audacity that borders on recklessness or disregard for norms, so ensure that this connotation is appropriate for the situation you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brazen move" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describes a specific action or decision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brazen move" is a noun phrase used to describe an action characterized by boldness and audacity, often bordering on recklessness or disregard for norms. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While often carrying negative connotations, it can also be used neutrally. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage suggests a generally objective, albeit potentially critical, assessment of events. When using this phrase, consider the implications of audacity and potential disregard for consequences that it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an audacious act

Focuses on the boldness and risk-taking nature of the action.

a bold action

Emphasizes the courage and willingness to take risks.

an impudent step

Highlights the disrespectful or shameless nature of the action.

a shameless maneuver

Stresses the lack of shame or embarrassment associated with the action.

a daring gambit

Suggests a risky strategy undertaken with the hope of a significant gain.

a presumptuous deed

Implies that the action oversteps the bounds of what is considered acceptable or appropriate.

a defiant gesture

Highlights the rebellious or resistant nature of the action.

an insolent tactic

Focuses on the rudeness and disrespectfulness of the action.

a cheeky play

Emphasizes the playful but bold and sometimes inappropriate nature of the action.

an outrageous stunt

Highlights the shocking and unconventional nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "a brazen move" in a sentence?

Use "a brazen move" to describe an action that is surprisingly bold and potentially disrespectful or shocking. For example: "The company's decision to cut employee benefits was "a brazen move" that angered many employees".

What are some alternatives to "a brazen move"?

You can use alternatives like "an audacious act", "a bold action", or "an impudent step" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean for an action to be described as "a brazen move"?

It suggests the action was surprisingly bold and potentially disrespectful. It often carries a connotation of shock or disapproval, implying that the person or group taking the action is disregarding norms or consequences.

Is "a brazen move" always negative?

While "a brazen move" often has negative connotations due to its implication of recklessness or disregard for norms, it can sometimes be used in a neutral or even positive way to describe an action that is bold and innovative, especially if it leads to success.