display poor judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "display poor judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's decision-making that is considered unwise or lacking in good sense. Example: "His decision to invest in that failing company clearly shows that he tends to display poor judgment in financial matters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently display poor judgment and risk taking in their everyday behavior, but there are little empirical data on decision-making cognition in this disorder.

Biological Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There was a lack of communication on his part and he displayed poor judgment".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, in her five network television appearances immediately after the tragedy, she displayed poor judgment.

The New York Times

And he has displayed poor judgment about fundamental issues of ethics.

The New York Times

Remember, they were later repudiated by another set of lawyers in Mr. Bush's own Office of Legal Counsel, and by an official investigation that concluded they displayed "poor judgment".

The New York Times

Roth concluded that both agents "displayed poor judgment and a lack of institutional awareness" and "more likely than not both Connolly and Ogilvie's judgment was impaired by alcohol".

The Guardian

And later, after the Six-Day War in 1967, the Israelis displayed poor judgment (that unfortunately continues to this day) in allowing her citizens to build settlements in these conquered territories.

The Guardian

The senator's belief "that such items were of little value or were not gifts to you under the circumstances" displayed poor judgment and violated Senate gift rules, the panel found.

The New York Times

"That expenditure was made by an employee who displayed poor judgment and is no longer involved in Assemblyman Hall's organization".

Los Angeles Times

As we all know, our offspring can display poor taste and judgment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bonnie & Clyde Barrow Bonnie and Clyde display poor gun safety.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "display poor judgment", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific actions or decisions that demonstrate the lack of good sense. Provide concrete examples to support your assertion.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "displays poor judgment" without providing concrete instances of their flawed decision-making. Back up your statement with specific details to make your argument more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "display poor judgment" functions as a predicative expression, where "display" acts as a verb taking "poor judgment" as its object. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "display poor judgment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that indicates a lack of good sense or wisdom in decision-making. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal settings. While the phrase is generally neutral, providing specific examples of the flawed judgment strengthens its impact. Alternatives like "exhibit poor judgment" or "demonstrate poor judgment" offer subtle variations in meaning. To avoid generality, it's crucial to substantiate claims of poor judgment with concrete evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit poor judgment

Focuses on showcasing or presenting flawed decision-making.

demonstrate poor judgment

Highlights the act of clearly showing a lack of good sense.

show poor judgment

A more direct and simple way of expressing flawed decision-making.

exercise poor judgment

Emphasizes the act of using bad judgment in a specific instance.

make a bad decision

Focuses on the outcome of the judgment rather than the act of displaying it.

act unwisely

Shifts the focus to the overall behavior being imprudent.

lack good sense

Highlights the absence of sound reasoning.

be imprudent

A more formal way of saying someone is not showing care or foresight.

err in judgment

Focuses on the mistake made in the decision-making process.

lapse in judgment

Highlights a temporary failure to make a sound decision.

FAQs

What does it mean to "display poor judgment"?

To "display poor judgment" means to show a lack of good sense or wisdom in making decisions or taking actions. It implies that someone's choices are unwise or ill-considered.

How can I use "display poor judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "display poor judgment" to describe someone whose actions or decisions are unwise. For example, "The senator "displayed poor judgment" by accepting gifts from lobbyists".

What are some synonyms for "display poor judgment"?

Synonyms for "display poor judgment" include "exhibit poor judgment", "demonstrate poor judgment", "show poor judgment", and "exercise poor judgment".

Is it better to say "display poor judgment" or "make a bad decision"?

While both phrases indicate flawed decision-making, "display poor judgment" focuses on the overall tendency to make unwise choices, whereas "make a bad decision" refers to a specific instance of flawed judgment. The best choice depends on the context.