foolhardy choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolhardy choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision that is recklessly bold or rash, often without considering the potential consequences. Example: "Choosing to invest all his savings in a startup with no track record was a foolhardy choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A brave, if foolhardy, choice; but one, perhaps, to be admired.

Independent

Niese retrieved the ball and made the foolhardy choice to twirl and throw to first.

The New York Times - Sports

Bold is not normally a word associated with Mr. Romney, but this is a bold — perhaps even foolhardy — choice.

The Washington Post

Wharton's work recalls that not so long ago you were stuck with a foolhardy choice of mate for life.

The Guardian - Books

Headliners Carl Craig and Mike Banks took his bar and reset it even higher, opening with the almost foolhardy choice of definitive Underground Resistance anthem Knights of the Jaguar, sending the numerous UR fanboys into raptures.

The Guardian

As a party, it goes against the grain for us to oppose a democratic decision, but it is hard in this case to respect the thoughtless and foolhardy choice made by a group that are not themselves democratically accountable".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Qubes relies on the user to make security decisions, and cannot offer protection to those who make foolhardy choices.

The Economist

Compared to the bold (even foolhardy) choices he's made throughout his campaign in service of appealing to the Republicans' most staunch rightwingers, this iteration of Romney hewed close to the center even as his eyes glinted with radical zeal (or maybe too much sugar).

The Guardian - Opinion

Though a majority of the complex's problems predate the storm, its descent into post-hurricane chaos was exacerbated by poor construction and foolhardy design choices, said Richard Weinstock, the president of construction for L+M.

The New York Times

"There was a big question mark about whether this was going to be an inspired choice or something foolhardy," said Michael Johnson, a British Airways spokesman.

The New York Times

Since peaceful carrots and sticks cannot work, and an invasion would be foolhardy, the United States faces a stark choice: military air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities or acquiescence to Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foolhardy choice", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the negative consequences or the lack of foresight associated with the decision.

Common error

While "foolhardy choice" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound overly dramatic in formal or professional writing. Consider using alternatives like "imprudent decision" or "ill-advised option" to maintain a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foolhardy choice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "foolhardy" modifies the noun "choice". It serves to describe a particular type of decision, specifically one characterized by recklessness and a lack of good judgment. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing examples where the phrase clearly identifies a negative quality of the decision being made.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foolhardy choice" is a phrase used to describe a decision marked by recklessness and poor judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While acceptable, be mindful of its slightly dramatic tone in more formal settings; alternatives like "imprudent decision" might be more suitable. The phrase effectively communicates disapproval of a decision and highlights its potential negative consequences. Remember to use "foolhardy choice" when you want to emphasize the lack of foresight and the high risk associated with a particular decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reckless decision

Focuses more on the impulsiveness and disregard for consequences in the decision.

imprudent selection

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom and foresight in the choice.

rash judgment

Highlights the speed and lack of careful consideration in making the decision.

ill-advised option

Directly points out that the option was not a good idea.

unwise course of action

More formal and emphasizes the negative consequences of the action taken.

risky move

Highlights the potential for negative outcomes and the element of danger involved.

careless pick

Suggests a lack of attention and thought went into making the selection.

injudicious determination

Formal and stresses the faulty reasoning behind the decision.

short-sighted plan

Focuses on the failure to consider long-term implications.

misguided preference

Suggests that the choice was based on flawed or incorrect beliefs.

FAQs

How can I use "foolhardy choice" in a sentence?

You can use "foolhardy choice" to describe a decision that is recklessly bold or rash. For example, "Investing all his savings in that unproven venture was a "foolhardy choice"".

What are some alternatives to saying "foolhardy choice"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "reckless decision", "imprudent selection", or "unwise course of action".

What makes a choice "foolhardy"?

A choice is considered "foolhardy" when it is made without proper consideration of the risks involved, often leading to negative consequences. It implies a lack of wisdom and a degree of recklessness.

Is "foolhardy choice" always a negative thing?

Yes, the term "foolhardy choice" always carries a negative connotation, indicating a poor decision with potential for harm or failure. It is not typically used to describe actions that turn out successfully despite the risks.