a clumsy maneuver

USAGE SUMMARY

"a clumsy maneuver" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an awkward or ungraceful action or movement. Example: "His attempt to impress her was a clumsy maneuver that only made things worse." Alternative expressions include "an awkward move" and "a bumbling action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And so an order written in the perishable ink of political trickery and wrapped in a clumsy maneuver to make it seem that we, a small group of journalists, were working in Cuba as allies of drug traffickers and procurers and salaried mercenaries of the United States, yields only a cocktail of repugnance in me.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Justice Department's clumsy maneuver to obtain the home telephone records of an Associated Press reporter betrays an alarming insensitivity not only to free-press principles but to the department's own investigative policies.

The New York Times

When a weak state lacks established political parties and other institutions that handle the give-and-take of governance, the result is a series of clumsy maneuvers by ill-prepared players.

The New Yorker

The hashtags, the camouflage getup and clumsy maneuvers might have seemed silly, except the ammunition and demolition equipment were real.

The Guardian

To Sevareid, who always looked and tried to sound like a clean-shaven Elijah, the fuzzy, black-and-white television transmissions showed the astronaut as a "clumsy creature, half-blind, maneuvering with great awkwardness at first, and slowly learning to use its legs, until, in a rather short time it's running".

The New Yorker

All the air goes out of this satire once Kellerman maneuvers Arthur into a clumsy international espionage plot — but it was fun while it lasted.

The New York Times - Books

A clumsy silhouette.

The New York Times - Arts

(c) "A clumsy wife-leaver".

The New Yorker

This is a clumsy start.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a clumsy device.

The New York Times - Books

But it remains a clumsy mix.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair it with verbs like 'wrapped in' or 'betrayed by' to emphasize how the clumsy action reveals an underlying motive or character flaw.

Common error

Do not use this phrase for purely intellectual errors that lack an 'action' component. If the mistake is related to reasoning rather than execution, use "a flawed logic" or "an erroneous conclusion" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clumsy maneuver" serves as a noun phrase consisting of the indefinite article, a descriptive adjective and a noun. It typically functions as the direct object of a verb or the object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms this as a grammatically correct and usable expression in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clumsy maneuver" is a highly effective, grammatically correct phrase for describing actions that lack grace, subtlety or skill. While it is classified as rare in terms of exact string frequency, its components are widely recognized and used in authoritative sources analyzed by Ludwig. It is particularly useful in journalistic writing to critique political strategies or physical movements that are poorly coordinated. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly usable and carries a slightly sophisticated, critical tone. To avoid repetition, writers may consider alternatives like an awkward move for physical contexts or a maladroit step for a more formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awkward move

Focuses more on the lack of grace in physical motion

a bumbling tactic

Implies a higher degree of persistent incompetence in a specific plan

a fumbling attempt

Highlights the physical or metaphorical struggle to complete an action

a maladroit step

Uses a higher register to describe a general lack of adroitness

an inept handling

Focuses on the poor management or execution of a situation

an ungainly gambit

Suggests a strategic risk that is visually or socially unrefined

a heavy-handed approach

Indicates a lack of sensitivity or the use of excessive force

an inelegant strategy

Focuses on the lack of aesthetic or intellectual refinement

a crude play

Emphasizes a lack of sophistication or subtlety in a competitive context

an unskillful motion

Provides a more objective and clinical description of the act

FAQs

How to use "a clumsy maneuver" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an awkward action, such as: "The senator's attempt to shift the blame was seen as "a clumsy maneuver" by the press."

What can I say instead of "a clumsy maneuver"?

You can use alternatives like "an awkward move", "a bumbling action" or "a maladroit step" depending on the context.

Is "a clumsy maneuver" formal or informal?

It is generally neutral and suitable for journalistic or professional writing, as evidenced by its frequent use in sources like The New York Times and The Economist.

What is the difference between "a clumsy maneuver" and "an awkward move"?

While similar, "an awkward move" often refers to simple physical lack of grace, whereas "a clumsy maneuver" frequently implies a failed attempt at a strategic or social goal.