alien idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alien idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or thought that is foreign or unfamiliar to someone. Example: "The proposal for a four-day workweek was an alien idea to many in the traditional corporate environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Economic efficiency was a pretty alien idea.

The Economist

Democratic institutions are another alien idea.

The Guardian

The higher clergy shared these civil responsibilities, since a separation of church and state was still an alien idea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To succeed in this task, Rand argued, Americans would need to question and reject the alien idea of altruism.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Party has delivered on economics and opportunity, and, therefore, for most young Chinese, democracy is not only an alien idea but one that is not necessary.

The New Yorker

In 1975, someone walking up the street shooting people was such an alien idea that one of the officers who responded didn't believe it and hadn't been trained for it.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

From that initial grievance flowed the long lament about "Brussels" as a hostile power, imposing alien ideas and burdensome bureaucracy on a captive people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hatred of Islamic radicals for the United States is also inspired by fear that their own traditions and order are being undone by alien ideas.

The New York Times - Books

But in purely musical terms, there is a great deal to be said for hybrids born of different cultures coming into contact, and musicians grafting alien ideas about form, timbre, rhythm and harmony onto their own traditional styles.

The New York Times - Arts

Not only did provincial New Englanders not value pluralism of any kind or any minority opinions strongly held, but they also feared alien ideas and did not understand them.

The New York Times

The logic goes that in order to protect these "British" values, which supposedly keep the nation together, we need to pull up the drawbridge to prevent society being polluted by alien ideas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alien idea" when you want to emphasize that a concept is not just new or different, but fundamentally foreign or incompatible with existing norms or beliefs. It carries a stronger sense of otherness than "unfamiliar idea".

Common error

Avoid using "alien idea" when a simpler term like "new idea" or "different perspective" would suffice. The phrase carries a strong connotation of unfamiliarity, which may not always be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alien idea" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "alien" modifies the noun "idea". It describes the nature of the idea, indicating that it is foreign, unfamiliar, or strange. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a concept or thought that is foreign or unfamiliar.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alien idea" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a concept that is foreign or unfamiliar. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and academic writing and has neutral register. When using "alien idea", consider whether the sense of fundamental disconnect is appropriate, or if a simpler term like "new idea" or "different perspective" would suffice. Related phrases include "foreign concept" and "unfamiliar notion". While not overly frequent, "alien idea" serves a specific purpose in conveying a strong sense of otherness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Foreign concept

Focuses on the origin or source being external or unfamiliar.

Unfamiliar notion

Highlights the lack of prior knowledge or experience.

Strange concept

Emphasizes the odd or peculiar nature of the idea.

Novel idea

Highlights the newness and originality of the idea.

Unconventional thought

Stresses the deviation from accepted norms.

Radical proposal

Suggests a significant departure from existing practices.

Esoteric concept

Implies knowledge limited to a small group.

Incomprehensible idea

Conveys difficulty in understanding the concept.

Unorthodox belief

Highlights a deviation from established doctrines.

Outlandish notion

Stresses the bizarreness or absurdity of the idea.

FAQs

What does "alien idea" mean?

An "alien idea" refers to a concept, belief, or practice that is foreign, unfamiliar, or incompatible with one's own culture, understanding, or values.

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

You might say, "The concept of universal basic income was an "alien idea" to many conservatives."

What can I say instead of "alien idea"?

You can use alternatives like "foreign concept", "unfamiliar notion", or "strange concept" depending on the context.

Is "alien idea" the same as "new idea"?

While both involve something not previously encountered, "alien idea" implies a greater degree of disconnect and potential incompatibility compared to a simply "new idea".