a brilliant shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant shot" is correct and usable in written English
It can be used to describe an impressive or skillful attempt, often in the context of photography, sports, or any situation where a shot or attempt is made. Example: "The photographer captured a brilliant shot of the sunset that left everyone in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That's a brilliant shot from Sharapova.

The Guardian - Sport

11.55pm: A brilliant shot at 17 from Dufner, who is hot right now.

The Guardian - Sport

Three minutes into added time, midfielder Andres Iniesta put a brilliant shot into the upper left corner of the net.

The New York Times - Sports

South was now in a deep trap, apparently headed for defeat, but found a brilliant shot to escape.

The New York Times - Arts

Harrington's at it too, chipping a brilliant shot to within a couple of meters of the flag on ten.

The Guardian - Sport

There's a brilliant shot, midway through the film, in which Wang returns home after the courtroom session and simply wants to be alone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

After Zaha and Bolasie had combined cleverly to cue him up he produced a quite brilliant shot which, aided by the slightest deflection off Yedlin, flew beyond Mannone.

The Guardian - Sport

A corner from the left was headed away by Martin Canning, but Alston thumped a simply brilliant shot right into the top corner that very few goalkeepers would have got near.

BBC

Stenson had also found trouble on a rollercoaster back nine, hitting his tee shot out of bounds on the 11th to gift playing partner Cabrera-Bello that two-shot advantage, but a brilliant tee shot on the par-three 17th produced a tap-in birdie to reclaim the lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Kelly took the lead for good after birdies on the 11th and 12th holes and he overcame a poor tee shot on No. 13 by planting a brilliant third shot a few feet from the pin to ensure a tap-in putt for par.

The New York Times - Sports

It's as if, on the previous evening, the snooker final had focused on Ronnie O'Sullivan's home life and leisure activities for 75percentnt of the programme and had then shown us a few brilliant shots at the snooker table by way of "coverage of the final".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brilliant shot" to describe a moment of skill or ingenuity in sports, film, or strategy. This emphasizes not only the success but also the artistry behind the action.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant shot" to describe ordinary actions. Reserve it for moments that genuinely display exceptional skill or strategic thinking to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant shot" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "brilliant" modifies the noun "shot". It serves to describe and emphasize the exceptional quality of the action or attempt. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Film

5%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant shot" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an action displaying exceptional skill or ingenuity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, sports, and film, though it should be reserved for genuinely impressive actions to maintain its impact. While it exhibits a neutral to informal register, the phrase is most frequently found in news and sports contexts. Alternatives such as "an exceptional play" or "a stunning effort" can be used depending on the context. The Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for emphasizing the high quality of a specific action or attempt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptional play

Replaces "shot" with a more general term for an action in a game or performance.

a remarkable feat

Highlights the achievement aspect of the shot, implying it was difficult.

a stunning effort

Focuses on the energy and determination involved in the shot.

an amazing strike

Emphasizes the impact or force behind the shot, common in sports.

a superb attempt

A more formal way of praising the action of taking the shot.

an ingenious move

Highlights the cleverness or originality of the shot.

an outstanding maneuver

Implies precision and control in the execution of the shot.

a magnificent display

Broadens the scope to include the overall performance or skill shown.

a masterful stroke

Highlights the skill and expertise involved, suggesting a high level of control.

a tremendous play

Indicates the large positive impact and skill demonstrated.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brilliant shot" to describe an action that demonstrates exceptional skill or ingenuity. For example, "The player executed "a brilliant shot" to win the game."

What's a synonym for "a brilliant shot"?

Alternatives include "an exceptional play", "a remarkable feat", or "a stunning effort", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "a" before "brilliant shot"?

Yes, using the indefinite article "a" is grammatically correct when referring to a single instance of a shot. If you are talking about multiple shots, you would say "brilliant shots."

In what contexts is "a brilliant shot" most commonly used?

"A brilliant shot" is frequently used in contexts such as sports, film analysis, and strategic discussions to highlight moments of exceptional skill or insight. The Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various media and fields.