a broad brush

USAGE SUMMARY

'a broad brush' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when referring to either a wide swath of something, or a generalized description. For example: "I am using a broad brush to paint this background, and it's going fast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

But defeat tars with a broad brush.

The Economist

"It's painting with a broad brush.

The Guardian

A word of warning: Hughes paints with a broad brush.

The Guardian - Books

ACCURACY -- The commercial paints with a broad brush.

The New York Times

A broad brush is harmful, if not useless.

The New York Times - Sports

"We don't paint Camden with a broad brush.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But Mr. Moore balks at such a broad-brush description.

The New York Times

Visiting foreign correspondents inevitably paint a broad-brush picture.

The Economist

The chairman, a broad-brush thinker, often became impatient with her detail orientation.

Harvard Business Review

But it also signals a broad-brush contempt for fundamental rights in this country.

The New Yorker

This is a broad-brush reaction to Macklemore and his success.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies whether the broad approach is intentional or a criticism. Adding qualifiers like 'intentionally used a broad brush' can add precision to the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad brush" when discussing sensitive or multifaceted topics. The phrase can imply a lack of consideration for individual differences or important nuances, which may lead to misunderstandings or offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad brush" functions as an idiomatic expression and a metaphorical noun phrase. It describes a method or approach that lacks detail and specificity, often covering a wide range of subjects or situations superficially. Ludwig shows it's used to critique oversimplification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad brush" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe an approach that lacks detail and specificity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While useful for conveying general overviews, it often carries a negative connotation, implying oversimplification or a lack of nuanced understanding. When writing, it's important to consider whether a more detailed approach is necessary to avoid misrepresentation. Related phrases include "sweeping generalization" and "general overview", which can be used as alternatives depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sweeping generalization

Focuses on the act of generalizing without specific details.

a general overview

Highlights the provision of a high-level summary.

a simplified approach

Emphasizes the lack of complexity.

a bird's-eye view

Indicates seeing something from a distant perspective.

a rough outline

Suggests a preliminary and not fully developed plan.

a wide-ranging assessment

Implies a comprehensive but perhaps less detailed evaluation.

a surface-level understanding

Indicates a lack of deep knowledge or analysis.

a cursory examination

Highlights the brief and superficial nature of the review.

a hasty judgment

Implies a quick and possibly unfair conclusion.

a blanket statement

Focuses on a statement applying to all cases without exception.

FAQs

How can I use "a broad brush" in a sentence?

You can use "a broad brush" to describe a general approach that lacks specific details, such as: "The report painted "a broad brush" of the economic situation, without delving into the specifics of each sector".

What does it mean to paint with "a broad brush"?

To paint with "a broad brush" means to generalize or make sweeping statements without considering specific details or individual cases. It often implies a lack of nuance or precision.

When is it appropriate to use "a broad brush" approach?

It's appropriate when providing a general overview or summary, but be cautious when dealing with sensitive topics or situations where individual details matter. Using "a detailed analysis" may be more appropriate in those cases.

What are some alternatives to "a broad brush"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sweeping generalization", "general overview", or "simplified approach".