a broad gesture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad gesture" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that is done in a large, wide and unclearly defined way. For example, "The mayor made a broad gesture towards the crowd as he accepted the award."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Day is making a broad gesture out of checking his wristwatch.

The New Yorker

A firing squad of Partisans shot Starace in the back, and another Partisan, perched on a beam some twenty feet above the ground, turned toward the crowd in the square and made a broad gesture of finality, much like a highly dramatic umpire calling a man out at the home plate.

The New Yorker

Starace was taken out and placed near a white wall at the rear of the gas station… A firing squad of Partisans shot Satace in the back, and another Partisan, perched on a beam some twenty feet above the ground, turned toward the crowd in the square and made a broad gesture of finality, much like a highly dramatic umpire calling a man out at home plate.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A broader gesture is planned for the weekend, when Murdoch will publish a full-page apology to all targets of his staff's actions in all national papers in Britain, under the headline "We Are Sorry" in order to leave no doubt.

The New York Times

The release of the three men came amid signs that the diplomatic standoff between Japan and China may be easing, although neither side has made any broad gestures of reconciliation.

The New York Times

Up till now T. Coraghessan Boyle has been the Jim Carrey of fiction: all broad gestures and mimicry, nervous hyperbole and dazzling razzmatazz.

The New York Times - Books

She made a broad stoned gesture, weaving on her feet.

The New Yorker

I asked a waiter smoking outside a noodle shop where the buses to the casinos left from, and he made a broad sweeping gesture with his hand.

Vice

Eyre's staging contributes greatly to the effect: though he keeps the drama in motion and doesn't stint on the slapstick or the broad gesture where it's appropriate, he never lets the action conflict with the vocal delivery.

The New Yorker

Also, a lot of magicians have in common with a lot of people in children's theatre the habit of performing with the sort of broad gesture that seems based on the assumption that the entire audience is one rather slow-witted person in the back row.

The New Yorker

His imagination is so unbounded that anyone who relishes superlative acting can't take his or her eyes off him for fear of missing what unexpected subtle or broad gesture or inflection will occur next.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a broad gesture", consider the context to ensure the scale and scope of the gesture align with the intended meaning. Is it physically large, or generally inclusive?

Common error

Avoid using "a broad gesture" when you actually mean something is vague or ill-defined. "Broad" implies a large physical or metaphorical scope, not necessarily a lack of clarity. For expressing a lack of clarity try to use "vague action".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad gesture" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an action or expression that is wide-ranging or inclusive in scope, often conveying a sense of generosity or a general statement of intent. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a broad gesture" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe an action or expression that is wide-ranging or inclusive. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage is most prevalent in the news and media context. While synonyms such as "a sweeping gesture" or "a grand gesture" can be used, it's important to consider the specific nuance you aim to convey. Avoid using it as a substitute for vagueness; instead, focus on its inherent sense of expansive scope. Given its limited frequency, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously to ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sweeping gesture

Replaces 'broad' with 'sweeping', emphasizing the extensiveness of the gesture.

a grand gesture

Substitutes 'broad' with 'grand', highlighting the dramatic and impressive nature of the gesture.

an expansive gesture

Uses 'expansive' instead of 'broad', focusing on the wide-ranging quality of the gesture.

a wide gesture

Replaces 'broad' with 'wide', simply indicating the spatial extent of the gesture.

a theatrical gesture

Substitutes 'broad' with 'theatrical', implying the gesture is exaggerated and dramatic.

a demonstrative gesture

Uses 'demonstrative' instead of 'broad', emphasizing that the gesture clearly expresses something.

a significant gesture

Substitutes 'broad' with 'significant', highlighting the importance or meaning behind the gesture.

a general indication

Shifts from a physical 'gesture' to a more abstract 'indication', conveying a similar sense of communication.

a noticeable sign

Replaces both 'broad' and 'gesture' to focus on the obviousness of a sign or action.

a clear signal

Substitutes the phrase to highlight the clarity and directness of a signal or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broad gesture" to describe an action or expression that is wide-ranging or inclusive. For example, "He made "a broad gesture" of welcome to all the attendees".

What is a synonym for "a broad gesture"?

Synonyms for "a broad gesture" include "a sweeping gesture", "a grand gesture", or "a theatrical gesture", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a broad gesture" formal or informal language?

"A broad gesture" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in news reporting and descriptive writing. Consider using a more direct term if more precision is needed.

What's the difference between "a broad gesture" and "a big gesture"?

While both phrases describe a notable action, "a broad gesture" emphasizes the wide scope or inclusivity of the action, whereas "a big gesture" often focuses on the significance or emotional impact.