a brilliant idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an idea that someone has come up with that is particularly insightful or helpful. For example: "John proposed a brilliant idea that would reduce costs by 10%."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

About a month ago, Lo came up with a brilliant idea.

Huffington Post

It's a brilliant idea.

Independent

What a brilliant idea!

Forbes

It's still a brilliant idea.

The New York Times

A brilliant idea, perfectly executed.

Independent

It was a brilliant idea.

The New York Times

That's actually a brilliant idea.

The Guardian

IT SOUNDED like a brilliant idea.

The Economist

"I thought it was a brilliant idea".

The New York Times

I think that's a brilliant idea.

The New York Times

"I thought that was a brilliant idea.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brilliant idea" to acknowledge and validate someone's suggestion, fostering a collaborative environment.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant idea" too frequently without providing context or justification. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your praise seem insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant idea" functions as a noun phrase, where "brilliant" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "idea". It typically serves to describe a concept, plan, or suggestion that is particularly intelligent, effective, or innovative. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant idea" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase for expressing strong approval of a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent across various sources, particularly in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide specific reasons why the idea is considered brilliant to avoid overuse and maintain sincerity. Consider using alternatives like "an excellent concept" or "a superb plan" for variety. Remember that this phrase communicates that you consider something as particularly intelligent, effective, or innovative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a genius thought

Emphasizes the intelligence behind the idea by using "genius" to describe the thought.

an excellent concept

Replaces "brilliant" with "excellent" while retaining the positive connotation and general structure.

an ingenious proposition

Highlights the cleverness of the suggested action or plan.

a superb plan

Substitutes both "brilliant" and "idea" with "superb" and "plan" suggesting a well-thought-out proposal.

a fantastic notion

Replaces "brilliant" with "fantastic" and "idea" with "notion", keeping a similar level of enthusiasm.

a remarkable scheme

Uses "remarkable" to emphasize the impressiveness of the "scheme", implying ingenuity.

a stroke of inspiration

This refers to the sudden arrival of a brilliant or creative idea.

a groundbreaking innovation

Highlights the novelty and potential impact of the idea.

a visionary concept

Elevates the idea to a higher level of strategic thinking and foresight.

a masterstroke of ingenuity

Emphasizes the high level of skill and creativity involved in the idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brilliant idea" to express admiration for a novel concept. For example, "Implementing a four-day work week is "a brilliant idea" that could boost employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "a brilliant idea"?

Alternatives include "an excellent concept", "a superb plan", or "a remarkable scheme" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a brilliant idea of mine"?

Yes, "a brilliant idea of mine" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to an idea that you conceived.

What's the difference between "a brilliant idea" and "a good idea"?

"A brilliant idea" suggests that the idea is exceptionally clever, innovative, or effective, while "a good idea" simply means the idea is satisfactory or useful. "Brilliant" implies a higher level of ingenuity.