a terrible idea

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a terrible idea.

The New York Times

"A terrible idea," Iyer said.

The New Yorker

But that's a terrible idea.

The New Yorker

It's a terrible idea.

The New York Times

What a terrible idea".

The Guardian

This is generally a terrible idea.

The New York Times - Arts

That might not be a terrible idea.

The New York Times

Cigar Man! That's a terrible idea.

The New Yorker

This seems like a terrible idea.

The New York Times

The store is not a terrible idea.

The New York Times

A pig parade is a terrible idea.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an idea, follow "a terrible idea" with specific reasons or alternative suggestions to provide constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "a terrible idea" without explaining why. Always provide context and reasoning to support your evaluation and make it more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a terrible idea" functions as a subjective evaluation, expressing a negative opinion about a particular plan, suggestion, or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically sound way to voice disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a terrible idea" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey strong disapproval. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and applicability across various contexts. Its primary function is to voice negative opinions about a plan or concept, aiming to discourage its adoption. While adaptable to many situations, avoid overusing it without justification. Alternative phrases such as "a flawed concept" or "a misguided approach" can provide nuanced alternatives. Remember to provide reasoning when using the phrase to enhance its impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dreadful plan

Replaces "idea" with "plan", emphasizing the structured nature of the suggestion.

a horrible suggestion

Substitutes "terrible" with "horrible" and "idea" with "suggestion", both synonyms to slightly alter the tone.

a flawed concept

Uses "flawed" to highlight the imperfections in the "concept", focusing on its inherent weaknesses.

an awful notion

Replaces "terrible" with "awful" and "idea" with "notion", offering a more emphatic tone.

a misguided approach

Focuses on the misdirection of the "approach", suggesting it's based on faulty reasoning.

an ill-conceived scheme

Emphasizes the poor planning behind the "scheme", indicating a lack of foresight.

a doomed proposition

Highlights the likely failure of the "proposition", indicating a negative outcome.

a recipe for disaster

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the potentially catastrophic consequences of the "idea".

a train wreck waiting to happen

Employs a vivid metaphor to illustrate the inevitable failure and chaos associated with the "idea".

a non-starter

Indicates that the "idea" is not viable from the beginning and has no chance of success.

FAQs

How can I express disagreement more politely than saying "a terrible idea"?

You can use phrases like "I'm not sure that's the best approach", "I have some reservations about that", or "Perhaps we could consider other options" for /s/expressing+disagreement more diplomatically.

What are some synonyms for "a terrible idea" that I can use to vary my writing?

Alternatives include "a flawed concept", "a misguided approach", or "a recipe for disaster", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a terrible idea"?

The phrase is suitable in most informal and semi-formal contexts where you need to express strong disapproval. However, avoid using it in highly formal settings where a more diplomatic expression is required.

Is "a terrible idea" the same as "a bad idea"?

While similar, "a terrible idea" carries a stronger negative connotation than "a bad idea", suggesting that the idea is not only poor but also likely to cause significant problems or harm.