idiocy with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "idiocy with" is not standard in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a context where you are describing a situation or action that involves foolishness or stupidity in conjunction with something else. Example: "The project was a complete failure, marked by idiocy with the planning and execution."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

One trusts she will treat that brand of slanderous idiocy with the cool disdain it demands.

Independent

Now he has augmented his general talent for idiocy with a more specific trick.

The Guardian - Opinion

American newspapers reported that Spencer called Wilde "an outlandish person who attempts to reconcile idiocy with art".

The New Yorker

Convivial and mischievous, he was never happier than when fulminating against reactionary idiocy with friends over lunch in Bloomsbury.

The Guardian

The best thing we can do to Trump is embrace his idiocy with open arms and expose him for the chump that he is.

Independent

Here is a typical Oscar "thank you" from the good old days, an artifact from a far-off, happier time before it occurred to anyone to bore us to idiocy with a list of unheard of strangers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The brilliance of "The Colbert Report" is its refusal to dismiss or denigrate the religion with jokes that equate faith with idiocy or churchgoing with bovine surrender.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. F., referring to Johann Sebastian Bach, wrote, "So ran the Kapel meister's hymn unending," & our printer, in a burst of midnight idiocy & with no effective blocking from editors & proofreaders, made it, "So ran Kapellmeister's hymn unending".

The New Yorker

The depth of their idiocy, combined with their eagerness to bare all for anyone who'll watch must have programme makers giddy with excitement, particularly when you can drown out any cries of exploitation with a thumping soundtrack.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On the other hand, Urban Outfitters and other stores have been pushing a style that might be called High Idiocy: shirts with slogans that are stupid to the point of absurdity but are meant as something approaching camp -- "Who's Your Daddy?" in a hokey 1970's font, "Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky," "Jesus Is My Homeboy," that sort of thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

All of that Obama birtherism nonsense was precisely that -- utter idiocy, unconnected with reality.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "idiocy with", ensure the context clearly defines what the idiocy is related to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the object or situation connected to the idiocy.

Common error

Avoid using "idiocy with" in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound informal or overly critical. Opt for more professional alternatives like "lack of judgment" or "poor decision-making" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "idiocy with" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, modifying or further defining the noun. It highlights the state of being idiotic in relation to something else. Ludwig indicates that it is acceptable but may not be the most elegant choice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "idiocy with" is used to express disapproval by associating something with a lack of intelligence. While Ludwig indicates that it's acceptable for general use, it can be too informal for professional and scientific writing, where alternatives like "poor decision-making" or "lack of judgment" are more suitable. Predominantly found in News & Media, its use signifies criticism or highlighting mistakes. When using "idiocy with", ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. Though grammatically correct, remember to be cautious of the specific context to maintain appropriate tone and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

folly in

Replaces "idiocy" with "folly" and "with" with "in", suggesting foolishness related to something.

stupidity concerning

Substitutes "idiocy" with "stupidity" and "with" with "concerning", indicating a lack of intelligence about something.

foolishness regarding

Replaces "idiocy" with "foolishness" and "with" with "regarding", emphasizing a lack of wisdom pertaining to something.

lack of intelligence about

Replaces "idiocy" with a more descriptive phrase, and "with" with "about" highlighting a deficiency in intellect regarding a topic.

absurdity in relation to

Substitutes "idiocy" with "absurdity" and "with" with "in relation to", suggesting something nonsensical concerning something else.

irrationality concerning

Replaces "idiocy" with "irrationality" and "with" with "concerning", highlighting a lack of reason related to something.

mindlessness regarding

Replaces "idiocy" with "mindlessness" and "with" with "regarding", emphasizing a lack of thought about something.

silliness in connection with

Substitutes "idiocy" with "silliness" and "with" with "in connection with", suggesting something trivial related to something.

dullness regarding

Replaces "idiocy" with "dullness" and "with" with "regarding", indicating a lack of sharpness concerning something.

imbecility concerning

Replaces "idiocy" with "imbecility" and "with" with "concerning", suggesting extreme foolishness about something.

FAQs

How can I use "idiocy with" in a sentence?

Use "idiocy with" to describe a situation or behavior characterized by foolishness or stupidity in conjunction with a specific object, event, or person. For instance, "The company's problems stemmed from their idiocy with financial planning."

What's a more formal alternative to "idiocy with"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "lack of judgment regarding", "poor decision-making concerning", or "negligence in relation to" as alternatives to "idiocy with".

Is "idiocy with" always negative?

Yes, "idiocy" inherently carries a negative connotation. The phrase "idiocy with" implies criticism or disapproval of the associated action or behavior.

Is there a difference between "foolishness with" and "idiocy with"?

While similar, "idiocy" is generally a stronger term than "foolishness". Using "idiocy with" suggests a more profound lack of intelligence or understanding compared to "foolishness with".