clever stroke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clever stroke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smart or ingenious action or decision that leads to a positive outcome. Example: "The CEO's decision to pivot the company's strategy was a clever stroke that ultimately increased profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was hailed as a clever stroke.

The Economist

But it turned out to be a clever stroke.

The Economist

And then, in the last clever "stroke" of stanza three, the aesthete himself becomes objectified.

The Guardian - Books

The brilliant stroke in the new Bush memoir, and the clever stroke with Bush's lead off interview and the photo accompanying NBC's lead article, was to use the first day of the re-introduction to highlight Dubya's recounting of how he drove his mother to the hospital while she was holding her miscarried fetus in a jar.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She sapped the clever strokes right out of Hingis.

The New York Times - Sports

The cleverest stroke in the exhibition comes last, a wall that looks like an open, upended chocolate box, inflated to giant proportions.

The New York Times - Arts

Some are claiming that the United States handover of authority in Iraq two days early is a clever political stroke.

The New York Times

Versions of this line were repeated around Paris as a clever rhetorical stroke, but in it were signs of what Berenson's keen-eyed wife saw as her husband's emerging difficulties.

The New Yorker

Only when you have observed his many clever, tiny brush-strokes does the whole picture emerge".

The Guardian - Books

This is both clever - at a stroke it broadens her potential market from teenage girls to anyone who used to be a teenage girl - and a bit creepy, given that she's actually mistily recalling these events through the wizened-but-wise eyes of an 18-year-old.

The Guardian - Music

Don't say: Big fat waste of taxpayer's money on a bunch of dole-scrounging art-school layabouts who just take any piece of crap and stick it on the floor and then a bunch of ponces wander round and go: "Oh, it's really deep and clever and stuff" and stroke their beards and drink their lattes and stop us bringing back the lash and the birch and … The reviews reviewed: Cool.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clever stroke" to describe actions or decisions that are both intelligent and yield a significant positive outcome. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting a surprising or unexpected element of ingenuity.

Common error

Avoid using "clever stroke" to describe ordinary or mundane actions. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the ingenuity is genuinely noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever stroke" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "clever" modifies the noun "stroke". This phrase typically refers to a smart, ingenious, or strategic action or decision. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clever stroke" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, typically employed to describe an action or decision recognized for its intelligence and positive impact. Though relatively infrequent, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is mostly used in News & Media. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, with "clever" modifying "stroke", and its purpose is to positively evaluate an action, emphasizing its ingenuity. While suitable for neutral and professional contexts, it should be reserved for genuinely noteworthy situations. Alternatives include "brilliant tactic" or "ingenious move". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct, suggesting its appropriateness in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brilliant tactic

Focuses more on the strategic aspect of the action.

ingenious move

Highlights the creativity and originality of the action.

astute maneuver

Emphasizes the shrewdness and practicality of the action.

shrewd decision

Highlights the wisdom and good judgement in the decision-making process.

smart play

Implies a strategic and intelligent action, often in a competitive context.

deft touch

Suggests skill and finesse in handling a situation.

inspired solution

Highlights the creative and imaginative nature of the solution.

strategic masterstroke

Emphasizes the high level of planning and impact of the action.

canny approach

Highlights the clever and practical nature of the approach.

adroit action

Suggests skill and resourcefulness in the execution of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "clever stroke" in a sentence?

You can use "clever stroke" to describe an action or decision that is both intelligent and results in a positive outcome. For example: "Hiring a new marketing director was a "clever stroke" that boosted the company's sales."

What are some alternatives to "clever stroke"?

Alternatives to "clever stroke" include "brilliant tactic", "ingenious move", or "astute maneuver". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "clever stroke" formal or informal?

"Clever stroke" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for use in news articles, business reports, and academic papers.

What makes a "clever stroke" different from a simple good idea?

A "clever stroke" implies a level of ingenuity and strategic thinking that goes beyond a simple good idea. It suggests an action or decision that is both intelligent and yields a significant positive outcome, often with an element of surprise or unexpectedness.