as daft as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as daft as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone or something to a standard of foolishness or absurdity. Example: "He was acting as daft as a brush during the meeting, making everyone laugh."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This isn't as daft as it sounds.

The Guardian - Money

This is not as daft as it sounds.

The Economist

Of course Dickson isn't as daft as he looks.

The Guardian

Is this as daft as it first appears?

The Guardian - Opinion

My question is not as daft as it sounds.

The Guardian

It's as daft as an elephant's foot umbrella stand.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

This is not as daft an idea as it sounds.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Sonically, it's not half as genius as Daft Punk," he said.

The New Yorker

It's not as daft an idea as it at first seems, actually.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is even possible to spot a serious subtext to as daft a name as "Avant-garde Tower".

The New York Times - Arts

But this time around, there are several uneasy hints that the British might have been wrong, as well as daft, being in the Sudan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as daft as" to compare something to a commonly understood standard of foolishness or absurdity. For example, "Trying to argue with him is as daft as arguing with a brick wall."

Common error

Avoid using "as daft as" in contexts where genuine ignorance or lack of knowledge is the issue. "Daft" implies a more lighthearted foolishness, rather than a serious deficiency in understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as daft as" functions as a comparative idiom, used to emphasize the degree of foolishness or absurdity associated with something. This construction highlights a similarity to a known standard of silliness, a comparison that's validated by Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Opinion

20%

General Conversation

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Arts

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "as daft as" is a commonly used comparative phrase to describe something as foolish or absurd. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed, especially in news, media and opinion contexts. While generally neutral, it leans towards informal usage and is often used to express amusement or disbelief. Consider context when selecting this phrase, as synonyms like "as silly as" or "as foolish as" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as silly as

Focuses on the quality of being foolish or lacking good sense, similar to "as daft as" but slightly less strong.

as foolish as

Emphasizes a lack of wisdom or judgment, closely related to "as daft as" in meaning.

as stupid as

Implies a lack of intelligence or understanding, conveying a similar sense of foolishness as "as daft as".

as ridiculous as

Highlights the absurdity or preposterousness of something, akin to the nonsensical implication of "as daft as".

as absurd as

Focuses on the illogical or unreasonable nature, sharing the sense of senselessness with "as daft as".

asinine as

Highlights the utter foolishness and lack of intelligence in something, similar to "as daft as" in conveying stupidity.

asinine

A simpler, one-word synonym conveying foolishness.

foolhardy

Describes recklessness or a lack of caution, hinting at the foolishness implied by "as daft as".

brainless

Emphasizes a complete lack of intelligence, showing similarity to the foolishness conveyed by "as daft as".

harebrained

Highlights the reckless and impractical nature of a thought or action, akin to the foolishness suggested by "as daft as".

FAQs

How can I use "as daft as" in a sentence?

You can use "as daft as" to compare a person, idea, or action to something considered foolish. For example: "His plan to sell snow to Eskimos is "as daft as" it sounds."

What is a good alternative to "as daft as"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "as daft as" could include "as silly as", "as foolish as", or "as ridiculous as".

Is "daft" offensive?

While "daft" generally implies foolishness, it's usually not considered highly offensive. However, consider your audience and context, as its perception can vary.

What's the difference between "as daft as" and "as stupid as"?

"As daft as" typically suggests a more lighthearted, less serious form of foolishness, while "as stupid as" implies a greater lack of intelligence or understanding.