as foolhardy as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as foolhardy as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone's actions or decisions to those that are recklessly bold or foolish. Example: "Jumping off that cliff without checking the water below was as foolhardy as it gets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

For some people, that might seem as foolhardy as buying swampland in Florida.

The New York Times

America's failure to talk to Iran is as foolhardy as its decades-long failure to talk with Mao's China.

The Guardian - Opinion

To move to New York in 1979 was regarded by non-New Yorkers as being as foolhardy as, well, becoming a Yankees manager.

The New Yorker

He claims not to be as foolhardy as he was in his youth, but he still thrives on a certain amount of risk.

The New York Times - Books

Commercializing apples like Ashmead's Kernel and Esopus Spitzenburg, prized by connoisseurs but fiendishly hard to grow, might seem as foolhardy as trying to revive the telegraph, but for Mr. Wood the allure of a profitable niche outshines the pitfalls.

The New York Times - Food

As foolhardy as it may be to drop their leading wicket-taker – though England did do it with Steven Finn in the 2010-11 series – Hazlewood's display at Edgbaston was worryingly loose.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Bravery can be foolhardy as well as exemplary.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a risk, perhaps even foolhardy as well as unprecedented, for an artist in mid-career to mount an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery at the same time.

The Guardian - Arts

But starting at a topflight mall like Roosevelt Field as a permanent tenant, with a lease specifying years rather than days, would have been foolhardy, as well as prohibitively expensive, she said.

The New York Times

The strategy was seen as foolhardy by some investors as Intel's profits shriveled, but it paid off: Intel's cutting-edge factories are critical to maintaining its advantage over rivals like Advanced Micro Devices and making chips cheaper and more powerful.

The New York Times

It seems as foolhardy not to discuss the option as it is to maintain such an awkward silence over China's rise.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as foolhardy as" to draw a comparison between a risky or unwise action and a well-known example to enhance the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid overuse of "as foolhardy as" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more precise or nuanced language to maintain a serious tone. For instance, use "risky" or "imprudent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "as foolhardy as" is to serve as a comparative phrase, linking two actions or ideas to emphasize their shared quality of being recklessly bold or unwise. Ludwig provides examples that showcase its use in various contexts, reinforcing this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as foolhardy as" is a grammatically sound and functional comparative phrase used to underscore the recklessness or lack of good judgment associated with something by comparing it to another similar action. Ludwig shows its presence in diverse sources such as News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. It is a valid phrase to use in writing to strongly suggest actions that should be avoided. When a formal tone is necessary, consider alternatives, such as "imprudent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally reckless as

This alternative directly replaces "foolhardy" with "reckless", emphasizing disregard for danger.

just as imprudent as

Using "imprudent" highlights a lack of foresight and judgment, similar to being foolhardy.

as unwise as

This phrase substitutes "foolhardy" with "unwise", focusing on the lack of wisdom in the action.

as ill-advised as

This choice emphasizes poor counsel or planning behind the action, aligning with foolhardiness.

no less audacious than

This alternative focuses on the boldness, potentially to a negative degree, inherent in a foolhardy action.

as harebrained as

This phrase uses a more informal term, "harebrained", to describe the foolish nature of the action.

as daft as

Using "daft" offers a more colloquial and less severe way to describe the foolishness.

equally misguided as

This alternative highlights that the action is based on flawed understanding or judgment, close to foolhardy.

as injudicious as

This substitutes "foolhardy" with "injudicious" meaning showing poor judgment, similar to being foolhardy.

just as ill-considered as

This emphasizes the lack of careful thought put into the action, implying a level of foolishness.

FAQs

What does "as foolhardy as" mean?

It means something is equally as reckless or lacking in good judgment as something else. It's used to emphasize the unwise nature of an action by comparing it to another situation known for its foolishness.

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

You can use it to compare two actions or decisions, highlighting that one is just as risky or unwise as the other. For example: "Investing in that venture now would be "as foolhardy as" trying to build a house on quicksand."

What are some alternatives to "as foolhardy as"?

Alternatives include "equally reckless as", "just as imprudent as", or "as unwise as". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as foolhardy as" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, it may be perceived as somewhat informal. In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "imprudent" or "ill-advised" to maintain a serious tone.