brilliant shot

USAGE SUMMARY

'brilliant shot' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express appreciation for a shot that was well-executed or particularly impressive. For example: "John took a brilliant shot and scored the winning point in the game!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Brilliant shot.

The Guardian - Sport

That's a brilliant shot from Sharapova.

The Guardian - Sport

Brilliant shot, and a great par save.

The Guardian - Sport

Three minutes into added time, midfielder Andres Iniesta put a brilliant shot into the upper left corner of the net.

The New York Times - Sports

11.55pm: A brilliant shot at 17 from Dufner, who is hot right now.

The Guardian - Sport

Forget the booming serve, the wicked forehand and the brilliant shot selection.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

At 22, Connors was the defending Wimbledon champion, yet Ashe, nearly 32, prevailed in four sets, gaining wide acclaim for his brilliant shot-making.

The New York Times

At 6-6, Sargsian moved forward with some brilliant shot-making, putting himself in position to knock a backhand volley crosscourt for a winner.

The New York Times - Sports

Her semi-final defeat by Kim Clijsters had everything – mistakes, brilliant shot-making, nerves and fightbacks on both sides – as well as a good helping of ambivalence in the crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

When Nalbandian took the first set behind bold and brilliant shot-making and surged to a 5-3 lead in the second, the tennis world was primed to spend a few days trying to parse the Argentine's mastery of the Spaniard.

The New York Times - Sports

It's very effective and takes brilliant shots.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a play in sports, use "brilliant shot" to emphasize not only the skill involved, but also the impact it had on the game.

Common error

Avoid using "brilliant shot" in everyday conversation where a simpler term like "good job" or "nice one" would be more appropriate. Save it for situations where the action truly warrants special praise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brilliant shot" functions primarily as a descriptive expression, characterizing the quality of a shot. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and usable nature in written English, particularly to convey appreciation for a well-executed or impressive action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Sports

30%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Film

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brilliant shot" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express admiration for a skillful action, especially in sports and media. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and usable in English writing. While its register is generally neutral to informal, alternative phrases may be more suitable for formal contexts. Remember to reserve this expression for actions that genuinely warrant high praise. Its frequent use in news and sports contexts highlights its role in conveying excitement and appreciation for exceptional performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

magnificent shot

Replaces "brilliant" with a synonym indicating grandeur and impressiveness.

superb shot

Replaces "brilliant" with a synonym that suggests the shot was of the highest quality.

terrific shot

Substitutes "brilliant" with a synonym that denotes excellence and effectiveness.

excellent shot

Uses "excellent" as a substitute to denote outstanding performance.

wonderful shot

Changes "brilliant" to convey a sense of delight and exceptional quality.

fantastic shot

Uses "fantastic" instead of "brilliant" to emphasize the remarkable nature of the shot.

outstanding shot

Highlights the shot's prominence and superiority over others.

great shot

Replaces "brilliant" with a more general term for high quality.

remarkable shot

Emphasizes the unusual and noteworthy aspect of the shot.

sweet shot

Uses "sweet" as a synonym that suggests the shot was pleasant and satisfying.

FAQs

What does "brilliant shot" mean?

The phrase "brilliant shot" is used to describe a shot, often in sports or film, that is exceptionally skillful, well-executed, and impressive.

How can I use "brilliant shot" in a sentence?

You can use "brilliant shot" to describe a specific action, like, "The player scored with a "brilliant shot" from the edge of the box."

What are some alternatives to "brilliant shot"?

Some alternatives include "magnificent shot", "terrific shot", or "excellent shot", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "brilliant shot" in formal writing?

While "brilliant shot" is widely understood, in formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "exceptional execution" or "remarkable technique" for a more sophisticated tone.