a brilliant plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant plan" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a plan that is exceptionally clever or effective. Example: "After much deliberation, we finally came up with a brilliant plan to increase our sales this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Knowing him, he'll have a brilliant plan".

Independent

Alexander comes up with a brilliant plan.

The Guardian

Indeed, it had been a brilliant plan.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a brilliant plan if Iraq goes Mr Obama's way.

The Economist

Dylan, in the director Todd Haynes's formulation "wasn't there," which is a brilliant plan.

The New Yorker

And Mexico city's mayor, Andres Lopez Obrador, even thought that he had come up with a brilliant plan to ease traffic congestion.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It was actually, in other words, a quite brilliant plan, and I apologize for not having grasped the intricacies of it in advance.

The New Yorker

It's a deviously brilliant plan, which makes me suspect it didn't originate at the White House.

Huffington Post

In London, for the last year and a half, a team of lawyers, cryptographers, software engineers, and/or former military consultants have been brewing a bizarre and/or brilliant plan for a bridge between the blockchain and the real world — a system whose success is directly proportional to the extent to which it achieves legal title over every physical object in the world.

TechCrunch

This is an absolutely brilliant plan.

WikiHow

HOW TO BICYCLE TO THE MOON TO PLANT SUNFLOWERS A Simple but Brilliant Plan in 24 Easy Steps.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brilliant plan" to convey strong approval and admiration for a well-conceived and effective strategy. The plan should demonstrate exceptional cleverness or ingenuity.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant plan" to describe ordinary or commonplace ideas. Reserve it for plans that are truly exceptional and demonstrate a high degree of insight.

Linguistic Context

A brilliant plan functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., devise, have, come up with) or as a subject complement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing well-conceived strategies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant plan" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that conveys strong approval of a well-conceived strategy. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its suitability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, reserve this phrase for truly exceptional plans that demonstrate remarkable cleverness and insight. Although "a brilliant plan" is applicable in several contexts, remember that overuse can diminish its impact. Therefore, consider alternatives such as "a clever scheme", "an ingenious strategy", or "a stroke of genius" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a stroke of genius

Highlights the plan's exceptional intelligence and insight.

a clever scheme

Emphasizes the ingenuity and craftiness of the plan.

an ingenious strategy

Highlights the inventiveness and strategic nature of the plan.

a remarkable strategy

Emphasizes the plan's unusual and noteworthy effectiveness.

a master stroke

Suggests a plan that is exceptionally skillful and effective, often with a surprising element.

a strategic masterpiece

Implies a plan of exceptional strategic value and artistry.

a superb tactic

Focuses on the plan's skillful execution within a specific situation.

a winning formula

Focuses on the plan's likelihood of success and positive outcome.

a visionary approach

Suggests a plan that is forward-thinking and innovative.

a foolproof method

Implies a plan with virtually no chance of failure.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brilliant plan" to describe a strategy or idea that is exceptionally clever or effective. For example, "The team devised "a brilliant plan" to increase sales this quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "a brilliant plan"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a clever scheme", "an ingenious strategy", or "a stroke of genius".

Is "a brilliant plan" formal or informal?

"A brilliant plan" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the tone of the communication. However, it is generally suitable for most types of writing and speech.

What makes a plan "brilliant"?

A "brilliant plan" is characterized by its exceptional cleverness, effectiveness, and often, its originality or unexpectedness. It typically solves a problem or achieves a goal in a particularly efficient or insightful way.