a brilliant step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or decision that is considered clever, effective, or innovative. Example: "Implementing the new training program was a brilliant step towards improving employee performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bohr's theory was a brilliant step forward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She said: "It's a brilliant step.

The Guardian - Business

"It proved to be a brilliant step," he says.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

However, their masterpiece was undoubtedly St Peter's (1966), where neo-Corbusian ranges with a brilliant stepped-section were disposed around an existing Victorian mansion.

The Guardian - Arts

"They've got some interesting colour switches there, which is a brilliant first step".

BBC

"Making the actual raw CAD files available under a Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 license is a brilliant first step that clearly and legally allows others to emergently build upon VIA's open innovation".

TechCrunch

Carrie's brilliant step, midmanic breakdown, was to drive his daughter to call him at his most vulnerable moment.

The New York Times - Arts

Undeterred by a missed penalty after Northampton had again been penalised at the breakdown, 21-year-old Ford produced a brilliant side-step to breeze past England team-mate Courtney Lawes on the 22 and score the game's first try.

BBC

It took a brilliant side-stepping run from full-back Mike Brown from his own corner flag - replays subsequently showed he was actually just in touch when he first gathered the ball - to spark both his side and the capacity crowd into life.

BBC

From nothing, Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce left back-rower Kyle Turner clutching at air with a brilliant right-foot step before wrong-footing Inglis off his left to score under the posts in the fifth minute.

The Guardian - Sport

Her association with Stock, Aitken and Waterman continued until her fourth album, Let's Get to It (1991), and only a few of those songs stand time's tests: Got to Be Certain (1988) is still adorably sweet, Hand on Your Heart (1989) still perfect bubblegum with a brilliant chorus, and Step Back in Time and Shocked (both 1991) still bounce hard.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brilliant step" to describe an action or decision that demonstrates intelligence, innovation, or strategic thinking. It's particularly effective when highlighting a positive turning point or a clever solution to a problem.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant step" too frequently in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, the phrase can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday scenarios. Consider using simpler alternatives like "a great idea" or "a smart move" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant step" functions as a noun phrase, where "brilliant" modifies the noun "step". According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English to describe an action or decision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science & Research

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant step" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, most commonly found in News & Media. According to Ludwig, it describes an action or decision considered clever and effective. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate for expressing a positive evaluation of strategic moves. For more casual scenarios, consider alternatives like ""an excellent move"" or ""a smart decision"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excellent move

Replaces "brilliant" with "excellent" maintaining a similar positive connotation but with a slightly less emphatic tone.

a smart decision

Substitutes "brilliant step" with "smart decision", focusing on the intelligence and strategic aspect of the action.

a clever tactic

Replaces "step" with "tactic", emphasizing the strategic and resourceful nature of the action.

an ingenious plan

Highlights the creativity and inventiveness of the plan, similar to the positive implication of "brilliant".

a remarkable approach

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and exceptional quality of the approach.

a bright idea

Focuses on the origin of the step, highlighting the intelligence behind it.

a masterful stroke

Suggests expertise and skill in the execution of the step, adding a layer of sophistication.

a strategic initiative

Highlights the planned and calculated nature of the step, suitable for business or formal contexts.

a groundbreaking advancement

Emphasizes the innovative and progressive nature of the step, implying significant progress.

a visionary act

Suggests foresight and long-term thinking, elevating the step to a higher level of strategic importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a brilliant step" to describe a clever or effective action. For example, "Implementing the new marketing strategy was "a brilliant step" towards increasing brand awareness."

What are some alternatives to "a brilliant step"?

Alternatives include "an excellent move", "a smart decision", or "a clever tactic" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a brilliant step"?

"A brilliant step" is appropriate when describing an action that is not only effective but also demonstrates intelligence and foresight. It's suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts, like business presentations or academic discussions.

Is "a brilliant step" too formal for casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a brilliant step" might sound overly formal in very casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "a good idea" or "a smart move" in everyday conversations.