a stroke of genius

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stroke of genius" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's outstanding act of intelligence or creativity. For example, "Her invention of the light bulb was a stroke of genius."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a stroke of genius.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a stroke of genius.

The Guardian - Film

The system was a stroke of genius.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This, surely, is a stroke of genius.

The Guardian - Music

That was a stroke of genius".

The New Yorker

It turned out to be a stroke of genius.

The New York Times - Sports

On the contrary — it's a stroke of genius.

The New York Times - Books

The Missy Elliot soundtrack is also a stroke of genius.

The Guardian

The precedents suggest the levy is a stroke of genius.

The Guardian

But what a stroke of genius on Dylan's part.

The Guardian - Music

This seemed like a stroke of genius at the time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing innovations or solutions, consider using "a stroke of genius" to convey not only its effectiveness, but also the exceptional creativity and intelligence behind it.

Common error

Avoid using "a stroke of genius" for simple or commonplace ideas. Reserve it for genuinely exceptional instances of creativity or problem-solving to maintain its impact and avoid diluting its meaning.

Linguistic Context

"A stroke of genius" functions as a noun phrase that attributes high praise to a particular idea, action, or invention. It signifies exceptional creativity and intelligence. Ludwig provides many examples from news and media and academia.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a stroke of genius" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression that signifies exceptional creativity and intelligence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, expressing admiration for remarkable ingenuity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, this phrase is best reserved for instances of genuine brilliance to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "an act of brilliance" or "a flash of inspiration" for nuanced expressions. Overall, "a stroke of genius" remains a powerful way to commend truly exceptional ideas and achievements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an act of brilliance

Focuses on the action or event that demonstrates genius, rather than the abstract concept.

a flash of inspiration

Emphasizes the sudden, insightful nature of the idea or solution.

an ingenious idea

Highlights the clever and inventive quality of the thought.

a brilliant move

Suggests a strategically intelligent decision or action.

a masterstroke

Implies exceptional skill and effectiveness in execution.

a remarkably clever idea

Focuses on the cleverness of the idea.

an inspired solution

Highlights the inspirational source and problem-solving aspect.

a visionary concept

Emphasizes the forward-thinking and innovative nature of the idea.

a groundbreaking innovation

Highlights the newness and transformative impact.

a triumph of ingenuity

Focuses on the successful application of inventive skill.

FAQs

How can I use "a stroke of genius" in a sentence?

You can use "a stroke of genius" to describe an exceptionally clever idea or action. For example, "Hedy Lamarr's invention of frequency hopping was "a stroke of genius" that revolutionized communication technology".

What are some alternatives to "a stroke of genius"?

Alternatives include "an act of brilliance", "a flash of inspiration", or "an ingenious idea", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a stroke of genius"?

Use "a stroke of genius" when you want to emphasize the exceptional cleverness and effectiveness of a particular idea, plan, or action that demonstrates a high level of ingenuity.

Is "stroke of genius" a formal or informal expression?

The expression "a stroke of genius" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's suitable for news reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations to describe remarkable ingenuity.