brain trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brain trust" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a group of experts or advisors who provide innovative ideas or solutions, often in a political or organizational context. Example: "The president assembled a brain trust of economists and scientists to address the economic crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

A British brain trust.

The New York Times - Arts

What is the Knicks' brain trust thinking?

The New York Times - Sports

It's a really neat brain trust.

The New York Times

He had his brain trust gathered there.

The New Yorker

Still, the Giants' brain trust appears braced for Boras's pursuit.

The New York Times - Sports

The brain trust turned its attention from guns to butter.

The New Yorker

The Ringling brain trust says this time will be different.

The New York Times

His brain trust is heavy with consultants and lobbyists.

The New York Times

He also discovered that his brain trust had scattered.

The New Yorker

The three of us were an infertility brain trust.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the next few days, the new Yankee brain trust will decide Torre's fate.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brain trust" when you want to emphasize the collective intelligence and innovative thinking of a group advising on complex issues.

Common error

Avoid using "brain trust" to describe any group of advisors. It's best suited for groups known for their exceptional expertise and innovative contributions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brain trust" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a collective entity known for its intellectual prowess and advisory capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brain trust" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe a group of experts or advisors assembled to provide innovative ideas or solutions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in contexts ranging from politics and sports to business and media. While generally neutral in tone, its use is best suited when emphasizing the collective intelligence and strategic contributions of the group. Alternatives such as "advisory group" or "panel of experts" may be suitable depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. While applicable in numerous situations, the term should be reserved to groups known for exceptional expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of intellectuals

Emphasizes the intellectual capacity of the group.

advisory group

Focuses on the advisory function, lacking the implication of exceptional intelligence.

panel of experts

Highlights expertise, potentially more formal than "brain trust".

think tank

Implies a research-oriented group generating policy recommendations, often with a more academic focus.

expert collective

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of a group of specialists.

kitchen cabinet

Refers to an informal group of advisors, often close to a political leader, but not necessarily experts.

council of advisors

A more formal term, often used in institutional settings.

team of advisors

A more general term, not necessarily implying high intelligence or innovation.

strategy team

Focuses on strategic planning, potentially less broad than "brain trust".

inner circle

Highlights closeness and influence, but doesn't necessarily mean intelligence.

FAQs

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

You can use "brain trust" to describe a group of experts assembled to advise on complex issues. For example, "The president assembled a "brain trust" to address the economic crisis."

What's a good alternative to "brain trust"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "brain trust" include "advisory group", "panel of experts", or "think tank".

Is "brain trust" a formal or informal term?

"Brain trust" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it generally carries a slightly informal tone due to its historical origins.

What is the origin of the phrase "brain trust"?

The phrase "brain trust" originated in the 1930s to describe the group of advisors assembled by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidential campaign and presidency.