a foolhardy decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foolhardy decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision that is recklessly bold or rash, often without considering the potential consequences. Example: "Choosing to invest all his savings in a startup without proper research was a foolhardy decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I think for any university to fly in the face of an entire Legislature would be a foolhardy decision," Mr. Alexander said last week.

The New York Times

I wouldn't, or at least, I haven't: I took on a new regular writing assignment just weeks before we adopted our daughter, which was both a foolhardy decision and among the best choices, career-wise, that I have ever made.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If you're an internationally acclaimed US author writing a sprawling historical epic – the kind of book that your publisher, if not you, will inevitably describe as "a great American novel" – beginning it with a baseball game is a brave, possibly foolhardy, decision.

The Guardian - Books

It seems like an unusual, even foolhardy decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

The combination of Yasir Arafat's foolhardy decision to start a second intifada rather than embrace President Bill Clinton's two-state peace plan, followed by the rise of Bin Laden, which diverted the U.S. from energetically pursuing the peace process, gave the Israeli right a free hand to expand West Bank settlements.

The New York Times

The raid pushed the Japanese military into the foolhardy decision to attempt an invasion of Midway to increase the protective zone for the home islands.

Los Angeles Times

We were told it was safe now, and never the ones to turn down an adventure, Hans and I made the foolhardy decision to go.

Huffington Post

To make matters worse, the Supreme Court's foolhardy decision in Shelby County v. Holder struck a blow to the Voting Rights Act at a time when many of the barriers it was crafted to remove still remain.

Huffington Post

If Beijing does not reconsider its foolhardy decision, the new rules would take effect on July 1.

The New York Times

The US also made the foolhardy decision to lean on Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to scuttle the Goldstone report on the Gaza war, for which Abbas took a drubbing in the Palestinian street.

The Guardian - Opinion

First we saw the foolhardy decision to cap benefit levels, with the aim of reducing the high rents in the private sector which were driving housing benefit spending up.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a foolhardy decision", ensure the context clearly indicates the potential negative consequences or risks associated with the decision. This strengthens the impact of your statement and clarifies your assessment of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a foolhardy decision" when the decision is merely unconventional or slightly risky. Reserve it for situations where the potential negative outcomes are significant and demonstrably likely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foolhardy decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "foolhardy" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "decision". It serves to characterize the decision as reckless and unwise, similar to examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foolhardy decision" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively conveys the idea of a recklessly unwise choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed to criticize or disapprove of decisions made without adequate consideration of potential negative consequences. While not exceptionally common, its usage is prevalent in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for conveying critical assessments. Remember to use it when there is a true sense of danger and recklessness, to ensure you deliver your message accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reckless choice

Emphasizes the lack of consideration and potential danger in the decision.

an imprudent action

Highlights the lack of wisdom and caution in the action.

a rash judgment

Focuses on the hasty and ill-considered nature of the judgment.

an unwise move

Underscores the lack of good judgment and potential negative consequences.

a misguided step

Suggests that the action is based on flawed reasoning or information.

a daring gamble

Implies a willingness to take significant risks, possibly without sufficient justification.

an ill-advised plan

Highlights the poor planning and likely negative outcomes of the plan.

a precipitous act

Emphasizes the sudden and impulsive nature of the act.

a thoughtless choice

Stresses the lack of careful consideration and potential negative consequences.

a short-sighted move

Highlights the failure to consider the long-term implications of the move.

FAQs

What does "a foolhardy decision" mean?

The phrase "a foolhardy decision" describes a choice that is recklessly bold or rash, often made without considering the potential negative consequences. It suggests a lack of wisdom and foresight.

How can I use "a foolhardy decision" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where someone makes a risky or unwise choice. For example: "Investing all his savings in that venture was "a foolhardy decision"."

What can I say instead of "a foolhardy decision"?

You can use alternatives like "a reckless choice", "an imprudent action", or "a rash judgment" depending on the context.

What makes a decision "foolhardy" rather than just "risky"?

A foolhardy decision implies a higher degree of recklessness and a greater disregard for potential negative consequences than simply a risky decision. It suggests a lack of careful consideration or planning.