lead to a brainwave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead to a brainwave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of generating a sudden idea or insight, often in a creative or problem-solving context. Example: "After hours of brainstorming, the team finally had a discussion that led to a brainwave about the marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The trip lead to a brainwave.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wires attached to the back of the probe lead to a computer that translates the electrical signals into a picture of the heartbeat, brainwave or whatever.

The Economist

It took just 14 years for LinkedIn to grow from a brainwave in a tech entrepreneur's living room to a $26.2bn£18.5bnbn) takeover target.

The Guardian - Business

Hear how schoolboy Ernie Norwood made friends with soldiers at Spurn Point and how an artist's brainwave led to camouflage being developed to confuse German U-boats.

BBC

Would you really be thinking about your PIN while using a brainwave headset to relax?

TechCrunch

Be it a chemical brainwave or physical shockwave, every move leads to another.

Huffington Post

Then, a brainwave: Hagen demanded to identify his ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Then I had a brainwave: we have to have a woman, an acerbic Brit, and it dawned on me.

The New York Times

She comes up with a brainwave, asking Stanley to guess which restaurant her brother will be dining at.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Bar drawing a lightbulb over her head, Esther does everything to imply I am witnessing the nativity of a brainwave.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tucasi, a brainwave of three school governors, is selling software packages to schools, to manage the money parents pay for school dinners, outings and so on.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "lead to a brainwave" when you want to emphasize the process or chain of events that resulted in a sudden, insightful idea. It suggests a clear progression rather than a random occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "brainwave" excessively as a simple synonym for "idea". The phrase "lead to a brainwave" works best when highlighting the journey or circumstances that resulted in the idea, not just the idea itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead to a brainwave" functions as a causal expression, indicating that a particular action or situation resulted in a sudden, insightful idea or realization. This is supported by the Ludwig example which describes how a trip led to the insight.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lead to a brainwave" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe how a particular action or situation results in a sudden, insightful idea. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's usable in written English. While its usage is relatively rare, according to the available data, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, focus on highlighting the process or chain of events that contributed to the idea rather than overusing "brainwave" as a simple synonym for "idea". Alternatives like "result in an epiphany" or "spark an innovative thought" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

result in an epiphany

Emphasizes the sudden and revelatory nature of the idea.

spark an innovative thought

Highlights the novelty and creativity of the idea.

trigger a moment of inspiration

Focuses on the external stimulus that causes the idea.

give rise to a brilliant idea

Suggests the idea is exceptional in quality.

generate a novel concept

Highlights the originality and newness of the concept.

inspire a creative solution

Focuses on problem-solving aspect of the idea.

prompt a flash of insight

Emphasizes the sudden and immediate nature of the understanding.

instigate a clever plan

Suggests the idea involves strategy and ingenuity.

produce a stroke of genius

Highlights the exceptional intelligence behind the idea.

foster a groundbreaking notion

Emphasizes the revolutionary or pioneering nature of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "lead to a brainwave" in a sentence?

Use "lead to a brainwave" to describe a sequence of events or thought processes culminating in a sudden, insightful idea. For example: "The team's collaborative brainstorming session "led to a brainwave" regarding the product's new marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "lead to a brainwave"?

Alternatives include "result in an epiphany", "spark an innovative thought", or "trigger a moment of inspiration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "led to a brainwave" or "lead to an idea"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "lead to a brainwave" emphasizes the sudden and insightful nature of the idea. "Lead to an idea" is more general.

What is the difference between "lead to a brainwave" and "inspire a thought"?

"Lead to a brainwave" suggests a process or chain of events that culminates in a sudden, insightful idea. "Inspire a thought" implies a more direct and immediate influence causing the idea.