obscure idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"obscure idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe any abstract concept or plan that is difficult to understand or comprehend. For example, "That professor's lecture was full of obscure ideas that I couldn't make sense of."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

These kinds of reflections led him to the relative and obscure idea of substance in general.

SEP

It may sound like an obscure idea, but according to Debteye, which we covered in July, 10 million people spend over $2 billion on debt counseling and credit programs to help them extricate themselves from debt.

TechCrunch

Now, as Locke has convincingly shown, we can have ideas of particular things or substances, e.g., gold and lead, humans and sheep, distinguished by our ideas of their various properties, but we have only a confused or obscure idea of substance in general, which we suppose to underlie whatever collection of ideas we take to be a thing or a substance of one kind or another.

SEP

The novelty of the device - combined with early adopters eager to have the next great thing - has carried smart watches from an obscure idea to a well-known device, but neither critical mass nor mass market adoption.

Huffington Post

Fran was again just kind of an obscure idea of who to write with and get with who had never really written with anyone aside from his own band members either.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

On the other, art of physical modesty that whispers obscure ideas and above-it-all pretense.

The New York Times - Arts

A company can easily lose focus when it is deluged with unprofitable and obscure ideas from fervent users.

The Economist

Those searching for information may not be inspired to draw parallels between obscure ideas or topics, and may be less inclined to make their own judgments about original material.

The New York Times

One of the great things to come out of the internet is the ability for obscure ideas and skills to be organised into a collective that has critical mass.

The Guardian

At a time when the term conceptual art is bandied about in reference to such transparently non-conceptualists as Tracey Emin, this show by nine contemporary artists reminds us of a creative genre that puts as much emphasis on often highly obscure ideas as on the apparent resolution of the finished image.

The Guardian - Arts

It depends on metaphysical assumptions about the nature of mind (soul) that are philosophically unconvincing, involving obscure ideas that are plainly at odds with our everyday experience and observations concerning the relationship between mind and body.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obscure idea", provide context or examples to help your audience understand the concept you're discussing. Clarity is key when dealing with potentially confusing topics.

Common error

Don't assume your audience will automatically grasp an "obscure idea". Provide sufficient background information and define key terms to prevent confusion and ensure effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure idea" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "obscure" modifies the noun "idea". It describes the quality of the idea, indicating it is not easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obscure idea" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a concept that is not easily understood. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science and encyclopedias, its frequency is uncommon. When using "obscure idea", ensure you provide enough context for your audience to grasp the concept. Alternatives like ""vague concept"" or ""ambiguous notion"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague concept

Replaces "idea" with a synonym, "concept", maintaining the sense of something not clearly defined.

ambiguous notion

Substitutes both words with alternatives that convey uncertainty and lack of clarity.

nebulous concept

Replaces "obscure" with "nebulous", emphasizing the indistinct and hazy quality of the idea.

unclear concept

Uses a more direct and common synonym for "obscure."

imprecise idea

Focuses on the lack of exactness or definition in the idea.

murky notion

Employs a more figurative term, "murky", to describe the idea's lack of clarity.

enigmatic concept

Suggests the idea is puzzling and difficult to interpret.

arcane concept

Indicates the idea is known or understood by very few.

convoluted idea

Highlights the complexity and intricacy that makes the idea difficult to grasp.

abstract notion

Emphasizes the theoretical and non-concrete nature of the idea.

FAQs

What does "obscure idea" mean?

An "obscure idea" refers to a concept that is vague, unclear, or not easily understood. It often requires further explanation or context to be fully grasped.

How can I use "obscure idea" in a sentence?

You can use "obscure idea" to describe any concept that lacks clarity. For example, "The professor presented an "obscure idea" about quantum physics that no one understood."

What are some synonyms for "obscure idea"?

Alternatives to "obscure idea" include "vague concept", "ambiguous notion", or "nebulous concept". These phrases convey a similar sense of something not being clearly defined.

Is it better to avoid using "obscure idea" in my writing?

Not necessarily. While clarity is important, using "obscure idea" can be appropriate when discussing complex or abstract topics. Just be sure to provide sufficient context and explanation to help your audience understand the concept.