borders on madness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borders on madness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, behavior, or idea that is very close to being irrational or insane. Example: "His obsession with perfectionism borders on madness, making it difficult for him to complete any project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While for most the idea of holidaying in the DRPK is one that borders on madness, it offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a rare glimpse into one of the most isolated, enigmatic and feared countries on earth.

BBC

Which, if unamended, borders on madness.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The government promises not to give Catalonia a financial deal that is not available to, and backed by, other regions.In this section The Viktor and Yulia show Bordering on madness Cold fusion About a rebate Homage to Barcelona Score one for the Vatican Re-enacting Waterloo Reprints Related items Spain and its regions: Clarity neededApr 21st 2005Mr Maragall dismisses talk of a crisis.

The Economist

But in Donetsk, at least, resentment of Mr Yushchenko persists.In this section The Viktor and Yulia show Bordering on madness Cold fusion About a rebate Homage to Barcelona Score one for the Vatican Re-enacting Waterloo ReprintsThe east's suspicions were sharpened by the arrest in April of Boris Kolesnikov over the allegedly violent takeover of a Donetsk department store.

The Economist

The painter Marcel Janko constructed masks that, according to Ball, inspired "passionate gesture, bordering on madness".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sarah's rage, genuine if also bordering on madness, is pedantically precise in its choice of symbols.

The New York Times - Books

The failure of the Charter in 1848 marked the beginning of the end for O'Connor, whose egocentricity was already bordering on madness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For months after the birth of our first child, my wife and I were in a mental state bordering on madness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two decades after the end of the Cold War, it is bordering on madness to maintain systems requiring launch decisions in a matter of minutes, rather than hours or days.

The New York Times

So it is that the story of Rupert Murdoch and News Corp has been characterised by big risks – often ridiculed as bordering on madness by respectable business opinion at the time – aimed at taking on establishment incumbents.

The Guardian

The emotional involvement becomes so powerful that it can border on madness.

BioSocieties

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "borders on madness", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject's deviation from rational thought or behavior. Provide sufficient evidence to support this claim for a stronger impact.

Common error

Avoid using "borders on madness" in trivial situations. The phrase is strong and best reserved for scenarios where the irrationality or extremity is significant, preventing a dilution of its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borders on madness" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is approaching a state of insanity or extreme irrationality. It is used to express a strong degree of deviation from what is considered reasonable or sensible. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "borders on madness" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations or behaviors that are extremely irrational or foolish. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It’s most commonly found in News & Media and Encyclopedia contexts. When writing, reserve this phrase for significant deviations from reason to maximize its impact, and be mindful of the potential for overuse in casual contexts. Consider alternatives such as "verges on insanity" or "approaches lunacy" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verges on insanity

Replaces "madness" with "insanity", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

approaches lunacy

Uses "lunacy" instead of "madness", implying a state of mental derangement.

nears delirium

Shifts the focus to a state of confused thinking and reduced awareness.

is close to being unhinged

Emphasizes the loss of emotional stability and control.

is on the brink of losing it

Suggests an imminent breakdown or loss of sanity.

is teetering on the edge of sanity

Uses the metaphor of being on the edge to highlight instability.

smacks of irrationality

Focuses on the lack of reason and logic in the situation.

hints at derangement

Suggests a subtle or underlying state of mental disturbance.

treads the path of mania

Implies a state of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity.

evinces signs of mental instability

Formally expresses observable indications of an unsound mental state.

FAQs

How can I use "borders on madness" in a sentence?

You can use "borders on madness" to describe behavior, plans, or ideas that are extremely foolish or irrational. For example, "His plan to climb Mount Everest alone "borders on madness"."

What's the difference between "borders on madness" and "is insane"?

"Borders on madness" suggests something is very close to being insane but not quite there. "Is insane" is a definitive statement about someone's mental state. "Borders on madness" implies a high degree of irrationality without a formal diagnosis of insanity.

What can I say instead of "borders on madness"?

You can use alternatives like "verges on insanity", "approaches lunacy", or "nears delirium" depending on the context.

Is "bordering on madness" grammatically correct, or should it be "borders on madness"?

Both "bordering on madness" and "borders on madness" are grammatically correct. "Borders on madness" uses the present tense, while "bordering on madness" uses the present participle, often implying an ongoing process or state.