smart remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smart remark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a witty or clever comment, often with a sarcastic or humorous tone. Example: "When she pointed out my mistake, I couldn't help but respond with a smart remark about her own errors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

The New Yorker

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

One smart remark and someone leaves the table in tears.

The New York Times

Jenny quotes Twain like ancestral wisdom, prefacing each borrowed smart remark with "As the fellow says".

The New Yorker

One of the pages makes a smart remark, and Madge replies: "Nay, either hear my tale or kiss my tail".

The Guardian - Books

When Guy was just lending a hand, Lane had seemed cheery, bright and confident, always quick with a smart remark as he presented Guy with a candy bar.

The New Yorker

And that smart remark likening the incident to "driving down the street and having people not gesturing with all five fingers" – whatever it meant it sounded cool, man!

The Guardian - Opinion

With teenagers so camera-conscious today, it's almost impossible to capture them looking genuine in a documentary or reality show; every smart remark or screaming meltdown feels staged for the lens.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I told Botham that he ought to be encouraging Dilley instead of making smart remarks.

Independent

I feel that people let him slide when he says his smart remarks about certain things.

The New York Times

They come back at anything we say with smart remarks that knock the wind out of our sails".

The New York Times

Did I want to spend days thinking up brief, 140-character, smart remarks and posting them online?

Independent

"It was 'good morning, have a nice day.' They were very arrogant and made very smart remarks".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smart remark" to describe a comment that is both intelligent and possibly impertinent. Be mindful of the context, as the phrase can sometimes carry a negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "smart remark" when you intend to describe a genuinely insightful or kind comment. The phrase often implies sarcasm or a lack of respect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smart remark" functions as a noun phrase, where "smart" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "remark". As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a particular kind of comment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

The New Yorker

12%

The New York Times

12%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smart remark" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a witty, clever, or sometimes sarcastic comment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's primarily used in news, media, and general contexts. While its tone can range from playful to impudent, it generally implies a level of intelligence or quick thinking behind the comment. Related phrases include ""witty comment"", "sarcastic comment", and "clever quip", offering subtle differences in emphasis and connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

witty comment

Focuses on the cleverness and humor of the remark.

sarcastic comment

Highlights the sarcastic or ironic nature of the remark.

clever quip

Emphasizes the quick and intelligent nature of the remark.

snappy comeback

Suggests a quick and often defensive response.

wise crack

Implies a humorous, often irreverent remark.

cheeky comment

Indicates a remark that is bold and disrespectful in a playful way.

flippant response

Highlights the lack of seriousness in the response.

glib remark

Focuses on the fluency and ease, potentially superficial, of the remark.

facetious statement

Emphasizes the lack of serious intent behind the statement.

sardonic observation

Implies a cynical and mocking tone in the observation.

FAQs

How to use "smart remark" in a sentence?

You can use "smart remark" to describe a witty or sarcastic comment someone makes. For example: "Instead of offering constructive criticism, he just made a "smart remark" about my presentation skills".

What's the difference between a "smart remark" and a "witty comment"?

While both phrases refer to clever statements, a "smart remark" often implies a degree of sarcasm or impudence, while a "witty comment" typically focuses on the humor and intelligence without necessarily being disrespectful.

What can I say instead of "smart remark"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""witty comment"", "sarcastic comment", or "clever quip".

Is it always negative to make a "smart remark"?

Not always. While a "smart remark" can be insulting, it can also be humorous or playful, depending on the tone and context.