brain teaser

USAGE SUMMARY

'brain teaser' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something which requires a great deal of thought or skill to answer or solve, such as a riddle, quiz or puzzle. For example: "Every Saturday night, my dad likes to challenge us to a brain teaser to see who can come up with the right answer first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

A brain teaser?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It's no brain teaser," Mickens said.

The New York Times - Sports

Figure out the brain teaser, and save $1 on our selected brain teaser items".

The New York Times

Kind of a brain teaser, when you think about it.

The Washington Post

So they went for what they call a "brain teaser".

The Economist

A traditional Indian game (untee, also called ashta chemma) and a modern brain teaser (brainvita).

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

(4:11) Google's data shows brain teaser-style interview questions don't predict performance, rather structured interview questions are much better indicators.

TechCrunch

Now for the real brain-teaser, Jeff.

The New York Times

Then both groups took the brain-teaser test again.

The New York Times

This is an infuriating/exhilarating brain-teaser that asks you to both navigate the world and find the goodies within.

The Guardian - Tech

The negotiations in Vienna showed no brain-teaser is too hard to solve as long as there is the political will to overcome the difficulties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brain teaser" when you want to emphasize the challenging and stimulating nature of a puzzle or problem.

Common error

While "brain teaser" is appropriate, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language with synonyms like "puzzle", "riddle", or "conundrum" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brain teaser" functions as a noun, typically used to describe a puzzle or problem that requires significant mental effort to solve. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brain teaser" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term for describing a challenging puzzle or problem, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, making it versatile for different writing styles. While appropriate, avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms such as "puzzle", "riddle", or "conundrum". As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase effectively communicates the intent to challenge and stimulate intellectual engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

logic puzzle

Specifies a puzzle that requires logical reasoning to solve.

puzzle

A simpler, more general term for something that tests one's ingenuity.

mind-bender

Implies something that is confusing and difficult to understand, often in a playful way.

riddle

Focuses on a question or statement phrased to require ingenuity in its solution or interpretation.

conundrum

Highlights a confusing and difficult problem or question.

enigma

Emphasizes the mysterious and inexplicable nature of something.

intellectual challenge

A broader term indicating something that requires mental effort and skill.

problem to solve

A direct and simple way to refer to something needing resolution.

mental exercise

Suggests an activity designed to improve cognitive function.

thought-provoking problem

Focuses on the stimulation of thought and reflection.

FAQs

How can I use "brain teaser" in a sentence?

You can use "brain teaser" to describe a challenging puzzle or problem, such as "The professor presented a difficult "brain teaser" to the class".

What are some alternatives to "brain teaser"?

Alternatives to "brain teaser" include "puzzle", "riddle", "conundrum", or "logic puzzle".

Is "brain-teaser" or "brain teaser" correct?

"Brain teaser" is more common as two separate words, although "brain-teaser" (with a hyphen) is also acceptable.

What makes a good "brain teaser"?

A good "brain teaser" should be challenging but not impossible, engaging, and require logical thinking or creative problem-solving skills.