a brilliant gesture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant gesture" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is clever, thoughtful, or impressive in a positive way. Example: "Her decision to donate her bonus to charity was truly a brilliant gesture that inspired others to give as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nelson Mandela kept a copy of the poem on him while in prison to keep his spirits up, and in this glassy-eyed movie version of the 1995 Rugby World Cup campaign – in which President Mandela sensationally backed the Springboks, as a brilliant gesture of reconciliation with white South Africans generally – the president gives a copy to the rugby captain François Pienaar.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In an absolutely brilliant gesture, newswire photographer Jason Reed of Reuters offered this visual commentary, and last word on the embarrassment in Annapolis.... Just grand.

Huffington Post

Re "A Nazi Violin Still Keeps Its Secrets" (Arts & Leisure, Sept. 23): The gift of a Stradivarius from the Nazi propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, to a Japanese concert violinist, Nejiko Suwa, was a brilliant propaganda gesture indeed.

The New York Times

And Mona elevates it with one brilliant gesture.

The New York Times - Food

It has been a long time, however, since corporate architects were capable of such brilliant gestures.

The New York Times - Arts

The film reserves its most brilliant gestures for the concluding scenes, which are genuinely disquieting, moving and -- hardest to achieve -- completely consistent with what has passed before.

The New York Times

Still, it was an impassioned performance, and, as James Reston of the Times rated it, a "brilliant" one, "with every word, gesture, expression and pause in harmony".

The New Yorker

This "charm offensive" will either later be seen as a meaningless photo-op gesture, or a brilliant strategic maneuver on the political chessboard.

Huffington Post

And, in an intramural, novel-to-novel gesture, Dew refers to Tyler Caskey, "a brilliant young visiting clergyman" — visiting, it seems, from Elizabeth Strout's novel "Abide With Me".

The New York Times - Books

member I talked to spoke of "unidentifiable, arrhythmic gestures," and said, "He's a brilliant, gifted intellectual, but he's a historian — he's not a musician".

The New Yorker

A brilliant mimic, he manages to transform himself, in a few deft gestures, into dozens of characters.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brilliant gesture" to highlight an action that is both clever and positively impactful, enhancing its perceived value and significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant gesture" for minor actions or everyday occurrences; reserve it for truly significant and impactful actions to maintain its gravitas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant gesture" functions as a noun phrase complement, typically used to describe and positively evaluate a specific action or decision. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes actions that are clever, thoughtful, or impressive in a positive way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant gesture" is a phrase used to describe an action that is not only thoughtful but also remarkably clever and effective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it's most commonly found in news and media, its application extends to formal and business contexts. Remember to reserve it for actions that truly warrant high praise to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "an ingenious act" or "an inspired decision" can provide nuanced variations. Overall, "a brilliant gesture" is a valuable phrase for expressing admiration and appreciation in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inspired decision

Indicates the action came from insight and creativity.

a thoughtful measure

Focuses on consideration and care put into the action.

an ingenious act

Emphasizes cleverness and inventiveness in the action.

an astute maneuver

Suggests cleverness and strategic thinking in the action.

an exceptional move

Suggests the action is beyond ordinary and highly effective.

a sagacious choice

Highlights wisdom and good judgment in the selection.

a masterful stroke

Highlights skill and expertise in the execution.

a splendid action

Emphasizes the impressiveness and grandness of the action.

a commendable deed

Focuses on the praiseworthy nature and moral value.

a remarkable feat

Stresses the achievement aspect and its difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "a brilliant gesture" in a sentence?

You can use "a brilliant gesture" to describe an action that is remarkably clever and thoughtful, often with significant positive impact. For example, "Donating the prize money was "a brilliant gesture" that inspired many others."

What are some alternatives to "a brilliant gesture"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an ingenious act", "a masterful stroke", or "an inspired decision", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a brilliant gesture" in formal writing?

Yes, "a brilliant gesture" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing actions in a professional or academic context. However, ensure the action genuinely warrants such praise.

What is the difference between "a brilliant gesture" and "a kind gesture"?

"A brilliant gesture" emphasizes the cleverness and effectiveness of the action, while "a kind gesture" highlights its benevolence and thoughtfulness. The former is about strategic impact, the latter about emotional impact.