a flash of brilliance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flash of brilliance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden moment of insight or creativity that leads to a clever idea or solution. Example: "During the brainstorming session, she had a flash of brilliance that transformed the entire project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Then he had a flash of brilliance.

The New York Times - Health

Maybe this is all just another illusion, a flash of brilliance from a streaky quarterback.

The New Yorker

Although secondhand, "work" is a flash of brilliance within Ballet Theater's contemporary repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

As I went up in my elevator, there was a flash of brilliance next to me.

The New York Times

"Looks ungainly at first, takes a while to get there, and then finishes with a flash of brilliance".

The Guardian - Opinion

The goal in the 64th minute was a flash of brilliance from the attacking midfielder that was cool, calm and a tease of good things to come.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

IT WAS a flash of sporting brilliance.

The Economist

OK, that "loud tone" is a flash of literary brilliance.

The Guardian - Books

The result, Wroe suggests, is a kind of synesthesia in which the songbird becomes responsible not simply for that sudden soaring sound but for a flash of chromatic brilliance that momentarily causes the dull downland to shiver into light.

The Guardian - Books

The result, Wroe suggests, is a kind of synesthesia in which the songbird becomes responsible not simply for that sudden soaring sound but for a flash of chromatic brilliance that momentarily causes the dull downland to shiver into light.

The Guardian - Books

Blinded by a flash of substitution brilliance, I bought two pounds of spelt from the dry-goods aisle, recalling that I'd heard somewhere that farro was the fancy Italian word for the far-less-fancy-sounding "spelt".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a flash of brilliance" to describe a sudden, insightful moment that leads to a particularly clever or effective solution. It's more impactful when the preceding situation seemed challenging or unpromising.

Common error

Avoid using "a flash of brilliance" to describe ordinary ideas or actions. It diminishes the phrase's impact and implies an unwarranted level of exceptionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flash of brilliance" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a sudden moment of exceptional insight or ingenuity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Sport

23%

Books

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flash of brilliance" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a sudden and exceptional moment of insight or ingenuity. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig's analysis of numerous sources reveals that it's employed across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and literature. It's important to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for genuinely remarkable moments to maintain its impact. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively highlights exceptional ideas and talents and using appropriate alternatives like "a moment of genius" or "a spark of inspiration" is helpful when repetition needs to be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a moment of inspiration

Similar to "spark of inspiration" but using "moment" instead of "spark".

a moment of genius

Replaces "flash" with "moment", emphasizing the brief duration of the exceptional intellect.

a spark of inspiration

Substitutes "brilliance" with "inspiration", focusing on the creative impulse.

an ingenious idea

Focuses on the resulting idea rather than the moment of insight.

a stroke of genius

Uses "stroke" instead of "flash", maintaining the sense of sudden inspiration.

a burst of creativity

Highlights the creative aspect of the sudden inspiration.

a sudden insight

Emphasizes the sudden understanding or realization.

a clever innovation

Highlights the innovative aspect of the idea.

a bright idea

A more common and less intense way of expressing a sudden insight.

a brilliant notion

Similar to "bright idea" but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "a flash of brilliance" in a sentence?

You can use "a flash of brilliance" to describe a sudden moment of inspiration or insight, like in the sentence: "The solution came to her in "a flash of brilliance" during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "a flash of brilliance"?

Some alternatives to "a flash of brilliance" include "a moment of genius", "a spark of inspiration", or "a stroke of genius".

Is it appropriate to use "a flash of brilliance" in formal writing?

Yes, "a flash of brilliance" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when describing a significant or innovative idea. However, consider the register of your audience and context.

What distinguishes "a flash of brilliance" from "a good idea"?

"A flash of brilliance" suggests a sudden and exceptional insight, whereas "a good idea" is a more general term for a helpful or useful thought. The former implies a higher degree of ingenuity and impact.