it would be barmy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be barmy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something would be foolish or crazy to do. Example: "If we decided to go skydiving without any training, it would be barmy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It would be barmy".

Independent

Likewise, if you feel it would be barmy to exclude from education technologies that are commonplace elsewhere in life, please say so too.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the summer of 1991, having managed Sheffield Wednesday to promotion and the League Cup, Atkinson said he would be "barmy" to leave "the best job in the world".

The Guardian - Sport

Only an ex-Python would be barmy enough to debut as an opera director with a work the composer said should not be staged but performed "without decor or costumes".

The Guardian - Music

Conservative MP and former Army officer Col Bob Stewart warned that making cuts to defence spending would be "barmy" and said current armed forces were already "reducing day by day".

BBC

It would be the pleasure of a lifetime to watch the resultant whinging from the barmy racists who seem so unaware of and ungrateful for the contribution that these people make to the lives of each and every one of us.

The Guardian

Many cities in the emerging world have followed the barmy American practice of requiring property developers to provide a certain number of parking spaces for every building something that makes commuting by car much more attractive than it would be otherwise.

The Economist

Indeed, you'd have to be barmy to go into a battle with an army this small.

Independent

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes, whose party opposes a referendum on the EU unless further powers are handed from Westminster to Brussels, said a 2014 referendum would be a "barmy" distraction from attempts to boost UK economic growth.

BBC

"It's barmy, isn't it?" she says.

The Guardian - Books

"You must be barmy to turn down the play with Olivier wanting to act in it," she announced to the two naysayers, knocking their heads together.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it would be barmy", consider your audience. While acceptable in general writing, reserve it for informal contexts due to its slightly colloquial nature.

Common error

Avoid using "it would be barmy" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "it would be unwise" or "it would be impractical" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be barmy" functions as a modal expression indicating a hypothetical situation deemed foolish or irrational. Ludwig confirms its usability. It typically serves to express a speaker's opinion or judgment about a potential course of action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be barmy" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, primarily employed to express the belief that a hypothetical action would be foolish or nonsensical. As indicated by Ludwig, it is suitable for general writing but more appropriate for informal contexts. When writing in formal or professional situations, consider more neutral alternatives such as "it would be unwise" or "it would be impractical" to maintain an appropriate tone. The primary context where you can find it is News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be foolish

Replaces "barmy" with a more common and straightforward synonym, indicating a lack of wisdom or sense.

it would be unwise

Substitutes "barmy" with "unwise", focusing on the potential negative consequences or lack of prudence.

it would be crazy

Substitutes "barmy" with "crazy", suggesting a wild or irrational action.

it would be insane

Replaces "barmy" with "insane", implying a higher degree of irrationality or mental instability.

it would be daft

Similar to barmy, "daft" also implies silliness or foolishness.

it would be absurd

Substitutes "barmy" with "absurd", highlighting the illogical or nonsensical nature of the action.

it would be idiotic

This alternative uses a more explicitly negative term, "idiotic", to describe the foolishness.

it would be preposterous

Replaces "barmy" with "preposterous", emphasizing the ridiculous and outrageous quality of the idea.

it would be madness

Replaces "barmy" with a noun, "madness", to express the idea of extreme foolishness or irrationality.

it would be nonsensical

It underscores a lack of logical coherence by describing the matter as "nonsensical".

FAQs

What does "it would be barmy" mean?

The phrase "it would be barmy" means it would be foolish, crazy, or nonsensical. It's a British English expression used to describe something that is considered silly or irrational.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it would be barmy"?

It is most appropriate to use "it would be barmy" in informal settings, such as casual conversations or less formal writing. Avoid using it in professional or academic contexts where a more serious tone is expected.

What can I say instead of "it would be barmy"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be foolish", "it would be crazy", or "it would be absurd" depending on the context.

Is "it would be barmy" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it would be barmy" is grammatically correct. However, its informal nature means it is better suited for certain contexts than others. Choose more formal language for professional or academic writing.