a horrible idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a horrible idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or criticism of a suggestion or plan. Example: "I think we should reconsider our approach; it's really a horrible idea to launch the product without proper testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a horrible idea.

The New York Times

"Something's a horrible idea?

The New York Times

Last meal: What a horrible idea.

The New York Times - Magazine

This turned out to be a horrible idea.

The New York Times - Magazine

"On paper it's a horrible idea," he said.

The New York Times

That's a horrible idea, I really don't want that.

The Guardian - Tech

"I think it's a horrible idea," he said of an injury report.

The New York Times - Sports

The four gay people in my office think that it is a horrible idea.

The New York Times

Still, the 13-year-old thinks that plans to reduce school hours are a horrible idea.

The New York Times

You'd almost think it was a horrible idea which is slowly killing the planet.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Stone explains: "Our college film about cannibals everyone said was a horrible idea.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a horrible idea" to express strong disagreement or disapproval of a plan or suggestion, especially when you want to convey a sense of disgust or strong negativity.

Common error

While "a horrible idea" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "an ill-advised proposition" or "a flawed concept" in professional or academic contexts to maintain a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a horrible idea" functions as a noun phrase expressing a negative evaluation. It serves to categorize a plan, suggestion, or concept as extremely undesirable. Ludwig's examples show that this phrase is commonly used to express strong disapproval in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a horrible idea" is a common and direct way to express strong disapproval or negativity towards a plan or concept. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it is suitable for many situations, consider using more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Key alternatives include "a terrible plan", "a dreadful scheme", and "an awful concept". The phrase functions as a negative evaluation and aims to discourage the adoption of the idea being criticized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an awful concept

Replaces 'horrible' with 'awful' and 'idea' with 'concept', making the phrase slightly less intense.

a terrible plan

Replaces 'horrible' with 'terrible' and 'idea' with 'plan', softening the expression slightly.

ill-conceived plan

Replacing "horrible idea" with a more formal phrase suggesting a plan that was poorly thought out.

a dreadful scheme

Uses 'dreadful' instead of 'horrible' and 'scheme' instead of 'idea', implying a more elaborate and potentially sinister plan.

poorly considered notion

Similar to "ill-conceived plan", but using 'notion' makes it sound less formal.

a ghastly notion

Substitutes 'horrible' with 'ghastly' and 'idea' with 'notion', adding a sense of shock and disgust.

a flawed concept

Suggests the idea has inherent problems or weaknesses.

a misguided proposition

Uses 'misguided' instead of 'horrible' and 'proposition' instead of 'idea', suggesting that the idea is based on faulty reasoning.

a disastrous course of action

Implies the idea is likely to lead to negative consequences and failure.

a recipe for disaster

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey that the idea will likely result in failure.

FAQs

What are some less harsh alternatives to "a horrible idea"?

If you want to express disapproval without being too severe, consider using phrases like "a bad idea", "an unwise plan", or "a questionable approach".

How can I use "a horrible idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a horrible idea" to directly express your negative opinion about something. For instance, "I think launching the product without testing is "a horrible idea"" or "His proposal to cut funding for education is "a horrible idea"".

When is it appropriate to use "a horrible idea"?

This phrase is suitable in informal and semi-formal contexts where you want to express strong disapproval. Avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing where a more objective tone is required.

Is there a difference between "a horrible idea" and "a terrible idea"?

While both phrases express strong disapproval, ""a horrible idea"" often implies a greater sense of disgust or moral objection compared to "a terrible idea", which might simply suggest something is very bad or ineffective.