ounce of sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ounce of sense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small amount of wisdom or common sense, typically in a situation where someone is lacking it. For example, "John, please use your ounce of sense and don't do something that will get you into trouble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But then you probably guessed it was parody, because nobody with an ounce of sense talks like that about men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its transformed version was a hodge-podge of faculty hopes and dreams that anyone with an ounce of sense knows will never come to pass.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He was just 23, which displays the kind of ambition Wall Street applauds but which anyone with an ounce of sense should find nauseating and darkly comic.

Independent

No one with an ounce of sense or sensitivity can doubt the impact of such an event upon a young woman and her family.

The New York Times - Arts

You can't easily believe that anyone with an ounce of sense would put up with William, even on a blind date.

The New York Times

Stripping every last ounce of sense from its dubiously intelligent machines, it also looks, quite deceptively, a fraction as cheaply rendered as James Cameron's 1984 original.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Anyone with an ounce of common sense can see that".

Independent

Crazy! says anyone with an ounce of business sense.

The New York Times - Arts

Any company or agency with an ounce of strategic sense is creating a plan now to convert to digital.

The Economist

"Our main message is that no one with an ounce of common sense goes out on the roads today.

The New York Times

Every ounce of common sense says that the country that had a stellar World Cup must now suffer a dip.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For emphasis, pair "ounce of sense" with negative constructions like "without an ounce of sense" or "doesn't have an ounce of sense".

Common error

Avoid interpreting "ounce of sense" literally. It's a figure of speech, not an actual measurement. Therefore, avoid using it in contexts that require literal measurements or quantities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ounce of sense" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a minimal amount of good judgement or practical wisdom. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s used to refer to a small amount of wisdom or common sense, typically in a situation where someone is lacking it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ounce of sense" is a common idiom used to denote a small amount of good judgement or common sense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often employed when someone is perceived to be lacking rationality. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a neutral register suitable for both informal and formal communication. When writing, using the phrase implies disapproval of someone's poor judgement. Alternatives like "bit of sense" and "iota of sense" can add subtle variations in meaning and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bit of sense

Emphasizes a small quantity of good judgement. It's slightly more informal.

iota of sense

Highlights an extremely small amount of understanding or rationality, almost negligible.

grain of sense

Indicates a very small, almost imperceptible, amount of common sense or reason.

modicum of sense

Suggests a limited but sufficient amount of sound judgement or understanding.

shred of sense

Implies the barest minimum of sensible thought or behavior.

spark of sense

Indicates a sudden, brief moment of clarity or reasonable thought.

minimum of sense

Highlights the least amount of reasonable understanding required in a situation.

element of sense

Focuses on including some sense, even if it's only a small part.

hint of sense

Refers to a subtle indication or suggestion of reasonableness or good judgement.

sign of sense

Implies that there's an indication of someone having some sense, in a situation where it's unexpected

FAQs

How can I use "ounce of sense" in a sentence?

You can use "ounce of sense" to express a lack of good judgement or common sense. For example, "He didn't use an "ounce of sense" when he made that decision."

What does it mean when someone says "doesn't have an ounce of sense"?

Saying someone "doesn't have an ounce of sense" means they are acting irrationally or without good judgement. It's a way of criticizing their decision-making abilities.

What can I say instead of "ounce of sense"?

You can use alternatives like "bit of sense", "iota of sense", or "grain of sense" to express a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Is it more common to say "ounce of sense" or "ounce of common sense"?

"Ounce of sense" is slightly more concise, but both phrases are used. "Ounce of common sense" might be used for emphasis, but they are largely interchangeable.