a brilliant notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant notion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an idea that is exceptionally clever or insightful. Example: "After much deliberation, she finally came up with a brilliant notion that could revolutionize the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It was a brilliant notion (thank you to the curator, Limor Tomer), bringing a moment in dance history to life with startling force.

The New York Times - Arts

The planet's invisible beast – it made hideous footprints in the dust as it came thumping on inexorably to attack our boys – was a brilliant notion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Is it enough that he's content to throw a brilliant notion onto the screen and paste on enough jokes to keep us smiling?

The New York Times

It's a brilliant notion," wrote Daisy Goodwin in the Sunday Times, while Jane Shilling in the Daily Mail admired a "fascinating social history" that illustrates Virginia Woolf's dictum that clothes "change our view of the world and the world's view of us".

The Guardian - Books

What a brilliant notion!

Huffington Post

I think it's a brilliant notion, every bit as effective as hiring 26 year old Gustavo Dudamel to run the LA Philharmonic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We were struck by the dissonance with the ambition — if you want to be more innovative and agile and anything could happen, isn't that a truly brilliant notion?

Harvard Business Review

A simple and brilliant notion.

HuffPost

Lutenist Elizabeth Kenny had the brilliant notion of recreating a piece of musical theatre in this apparently perfect setting, a semi-opera version of The Tempest, hastily born out of necessity in 1674 when a theatre found itself without an opener for a new season.

The Guardian - Music

New Labour satire is sensibly kept to a minimum, confined mainly to musings on the size of Cherie's bottom and Bridget's brilliant notion of instating a Code of Dating Practice to ensure fewer working hours are lost agonising over fuckwittage of boyfriends.

The Guardian - Books

The True Mirror – the final play, costumed halfway to the 21st century – has one brilliant notion: the idea that a real mirror might turn everyone's notion of herself topsy-turvy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brilliant notion", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant notion" for everyday or mundane ideas. Reserve it for genuinely exceptional concepts to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant notion" functions as a noun phrase, where "brilliant" is an adjective modifying the noun "notion". It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting an exceptionally clever or insightful idea. Ludwig examples support this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant notion" is a noun phrase used to describe an exceptionally clever or insightful idea. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly news, academic, and business settings. While it's not overly common, it effectively conveys admiration for an innovative concept. For more casual conversations, consider alternatives like "a good idea" or "a smart thought". Avoid overuse in simple contexts to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ingenious idea

Emphasizes the clever and inventive nature of the idea.

a remarkable concept

Highlights the exceptional and noteworthy quality of the concept.

an outstanding thought

Stresses the superior and excellent nature of the thought.

a superb plan

Focuses on the excellent and well-devised nature of the plan.

a clever scheme

Indicates an idea that is cunning and resourceful.

a stroke of genius

Suggests an idea that is exceptionally intelligent and inspired.

an inspired thought

Emphasizes the innovative and imaginative quality of the thought.

a bright idea

Highlights the clarity and intelligence behind the idea.

a smart concept

Focuses on the intelligence and practicality of the concept.

an excellent proposal

Stresses the high quality and suitability of the proposal.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brilliant notion" to describe an exceptionally clever or insightful idea. For example, "The scientist presented "a brilliant notion" that could revolutionize medicine."

What are some alternatives to "a brilliant notion"?

Some alternatives include "an ingenious idea", "a remarkable concept", or "a clever scheme", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a brilliant notion" formal or informal?

"A brilliant notion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual settings, simpler alternatives like "a good idea" or "a smart thought" might be more appropriate.

What makes an idea qualify as "a brilliant notion"?

An idea qualifies as "a brilliant notion" when it is not only clever but also demonstrates originality, insight, and the potential for significant impact or positive change.