brutal scheme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brutal scheme" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a plan or strategy that is harsh, ruthless, or severe in nature. Example: "The company's brutal scheme to cut costs involved laying off a significant portion of its workforce without any prior notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Expressionism with its simplified contours, strident color scheme and equally brutal, if different, mood, naturally encountered the same success.

The New York Times - Arts

By June, Saddam had found out about the scheme and unleashed a brutal witch hunt within the military.

The New Yorker

New Jersey politics may be brutal and strange, but even here political payback schemes are apt to backfire.

The Guardian

Indeed, in the endeavour of protecting the community against a brutal and unaffordable cost of illness, the community based health insurances schemes need to make sure that there is no adverse selection or moral hazard [ 4] in terms of enrolment and use of health services, or drop-out [ 5].

BMC Health Services Research

Loretta Ann Rosales, the commission chair, said she was horrified by the discovery of the torture scheme, more than three decades after the Philippines emerged from a brutal dictatorship.

The Guardian

But Silas chose the factual scheme of death, a choice given to the alternately calming and brutal representations of death relative to the viewer's proneness to emotional and aesthetic delicacy.

Huffington Post

On offense, they withstood a brutal blitzing attack, and on defense, the Rams endured what they called illegal blocking schemes.

The New York Times - Sports

These portraits of his brain and community in handcuffs are beautiful, brutal and extremely complex, and they lend themselves to the complex and brillantly compounded rhyme schemes he employs".

Wikipedia

— ANDREW DAS Brutal, brutal, brutal defending there.

The New York Times

"Just brutal".

The New York Times - Sports

Brutal cold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brutal scheme" to describe plans that are not only harsh but also intentionally inflict pain or suffering. Ensure the context clearly demonstrates the severity and ruthlessness of the plan.

Common error

Avoid using "brutal scheme" when describing situations that are merely difficult or challenging. The phrase carries a strong connotation of intentional cruelty and should be reserved for genuinely severe and ruthless plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brutal scheme" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "brutal" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "scheme". It describes a plan or strategy characterized by its harsh and ruthless nature. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brutal scheme" is a grammatically sound but relatively infrequent phrase used to describe an exceptionally harsh and ruthless plan. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate in contexts where the severity and intentional cruelty of the scheme are central to the message. While alternatives like "ruthless plan" or "harsh strategy" may sometimes be more common, "brutal scheme" is particularly fitting when emphasizing the deliberate infliction of suffering. It’s important to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant such strong language to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ruthless plan

Emphasizes the merciless nature of the plan.

harsh strategy

Highlights the severity and lack of leniency in the strategy.

callous plot

Focuses on the insensitivity and disregard for others involved in the plot.

cruel design

Underlines the malicious intent and suffering caused by the design.

merciless tactic

Stresses the lack of compassion in the employed tactic.

savage strategy

Emphasizes the ferocity and lack of restraint in the chosen strategy.

inhuman plan

Highlights the lack of empathy and moral consideration in the plan.

vindictive plot

Focuses on the revengeful and spiteful nature of the plot.

oppressive system

Emphasizes the unjust and burdensome nature of the system.

draconian measure

Highlights the extreme severity and strictness of the measure.

FAQs

What does "brutal scheme" mean?

A "brutal scheme" refers to a plan or strategy characterized by extreme harshness, ruthlessness, and often involving intentional cruelty. It suggests a deliberate infliction of pain or suffering to achieve a specific goal.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "brutal scheme"?

Use "brutal scheme" when you want to emphasize the severe and ruthless nature of a plan, particularly when it involves intentional harm or suffering. It's suitable for describing situations where ethical considerations are disregarded in pursuit of an objective.

What are some alternatives to "brutal scheme"?

You can use alternatives like "ruthless plan", "harsh strategy", or "callous plot" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "brutal scheme" a common phrase?

No, "brutal scheme" is not a very common phrase. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare compared to other similar expressions. Using it can add emphasis but should be reserved for appropriate contexts to avoid overstatement.