a shortsighted idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shortsighted idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or plan that lacks foresight or consideration for long-term consequences. Example: "Implementing such a policy without thorough research is a shortsighted idea that could lead to significant issues down the line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To me, handful of cloud providers serving the world's computing needs is a shortsighted idea.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Republicans continuing (and increasing, in some instances) their War On Women is an astoundingly bad and shortsighted idea.

Huffington Post

Kenneth W. Starr's threat to call members of the President's Secret Service protective detail to testify against him is one of the most shortsighted ideas floated in Washington's circus atmosphere (news article, Jan . 29.

The New York Times

Roger Pielke Jr explains why he thinks this is a shortsighted and ill-conceived idea.

The Guardian

"Some members of the citizenry call it a terrible idea: 'How can you put such a burden on those of us caring for animals?' It's such a shortsighted comment...

Los Angeles Times

That's a shortsighted view.

Harvard Business Review

This is a shortsighted policy.

The New York Times

This is a shortsighted view.

The Guardian - Opinion

Win, that is, for a shortsighted moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Using AI to create humanlike computers is a shortsighted goal.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But that is a shortsighted strategy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a proposal as "a shortsighted idea", clearly articulate the potential long-term consequences that have been overlooked. Provide specific examples to strengthen your argument and demonstrate the tangible risks involved.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as "a shortsighted idea" without providing any supporting evidence or justification. This can come across as dismissive and unpersuasive. Always explain why it is shortsighted by detailing what has been neglected or underestimated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shortsighted idea" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object. It characterizes a particular concept, plan, or approach as lacking foresight. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be effectively used in writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shortsighted idea" is a grammatically correct expression used to criticize plans or concepts lacking foresight. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, it appears in news articles, academic texts, and business-related writing. To make your argument more impactful, provide specific examples that reveal the potential long-term consequences that have been overlooked. Alternatives like "a myopic concept" or "an imprudent plan" can be used for variety. When using the phrase, it's crucial to articulate the why behind the criticism, preventing it from sounding dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a myopic concept

This alternative emphasizes a lack of broad perspective, focusing too narrowly on the immediate.

an imprudent plan

This alternative highlights the lack of caution and potential for negative consequences.

a near-sighted approach

Similar to the original, but uses "near-sighted" which is a more literal synonym.

an ill-considered scheme

This alternative stresses that the idea wasn't carefully thought out.

a deficient strategy

This focuses on the inadequacy or incompleteness of the plan.

a misguided notion

Highlights that the idea is based on faulty reasoning or incorrect assumptions.

an unwise course of action

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom in pursuing the idea.

a short-term solution

Focuses specifically on the lack of long-term thinking.

a hastily conceived plan

Emphasizes that the idea was developed too quickly without proper consideration.

a lacking perspective

Indicates that the idea suffers from a limited or incomplete viewpoint.

FAQs

What does it mean to call something "a shortsighted idea"?

Calling something "a shortsighted idea" means it's a plan or concept that doesn't consider the long-term consequences or potential problems, focusing only on immediate benefits or solutions.

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

You might say, "Implementing this policy without considering the environmental impact is "a shortsighted idea" that will harm future generations."

What are some alternatives to saying "a shortsighted idea"?

You can use alternatives like "a myopic concept", "an imprudent plan", or "a near-sighted approach" depending on the specific context.

Is "shortsighted" the same as "nearsighted"?

While both terms relate to limited vision, "shortsighted" (or nearsighted) figuratively refers to a lack of foresight, while "nearsighted" primarily describes a physical inability to see distant objects clearly.