stroke of brilliance

USAGE SUMMARY

"stroke of brilliance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an impressive or creative idea that someone has thought of, or an action that someone has successfully completed. For example: "Her speech was a stroke of brilliance - she managed to bring the whole audience to their feet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It must have seemed like a stroke of brilliance at the time.

The Guardian

It was a stroke of brilliance to put 'democracy' in there".

The New Yorker

The point is, South Africa were able to accommodate the one stroke of brilliance they encountered.

Independent

Mr. Linklater's stroke of brilliance is his application of this technique to an open-ended fable about perception itself.

The New York Times

Do designers ever stand back and look at their masterworks once they have finished adding another stroke of brilliance?

The New York Times

In view of that portrait, casting James Woods in the title role would seem to be a stroke of brilliance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

We have this notion that they are a rare breed of people who are lucky enough to be hit by strokes of brilliance that the rest of us can't even fathom.

Harvard Business Review

A raucous reception greeted the 37-year-old as he strode out shortly after 10am and he responded with some early brush strokes of brilliance as his friend, the artist Damien Hirst, watched on.

The Guardian - Sport

In France, L'Equipe  opted for the headline "Suarez bites again" and wrote that the Uruguayan displayed his "accustomed strokes of brilliance and bad actions" during the defeat of Italy.

BBC

But as I was standing there, with Little Roger in my hand, I had a stroke... of brilliance.

Huffington Post

"I created it on a Saturday, posted it on the Tuesday, and got played on the radio that Friday, on 'The Remix.' " Vidler is responsible for several mashups that have the same uncanny brilliance as "Stroke of Genius".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly demonstrates the positive impact or cleverness of the idea or action you are describing.

Common error

Avoid using "stroke of brilliance" for everyday achievements or obvious solutions. Reserve it for genuinely exceptional ideas to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stroke of brilliance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes a noun (idea, action, plan, decision) attributing a certain quality of brilliance to that noun. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Books

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Forbes

4%

The Guardian

3%

Harvard Business Review

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stroke of brilliance" is a noun phrase used to commend an exceptionally clever idea or action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is "very common", particularly within News & Media, Books and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, reserve it for ideas of genuine ingenuity to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "flash of genius" or "inspired idea". It’s a term best used to highlight creativity and problem-solving skills, avoid its overuse in simple scenarios to keep the phrase impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flash of genius

Emphasizes the sudden and insightful nature of the idea.

inspired idea

Highlights the creative and motivational aspect of the idea.

clever innovation

Focuses on the ingenuity and novelty of the concept.

masterful move

Suggests a strategic and skillful action.

ingenious solution

Points out the resourcefulness in solving a problem.

brilliant plan

Highlights the strategic and well-thought-out nature of the idea.

inspired decision

Focuses on the positive and motivational outcome of the decision.

remarkable insight

Emphasizes the depth and perceptiveness of the understanding.

shrewd tactic

Highlights the astuteness and strategic advantage gained.

astute move

Focuses on the cleverness and strategic thinking behind an action.

FAQs

How can I use "stroke of brilliance" in a sentence?

You can use "stroke of brilliance" to describe a particularly clever or innovative idea. For example, "Hiring her was a "stroke of brilliance", as she quickly revitalized the department."

What phrases are similar to "stroke of brilliance"?

Similar phrases include "flash of genius", "inspired idea", or "clever innovation", all of which denote a moment of exceptional insight or creativity.

Is it appropriate to use "stroke of brilliance" in formal writing?

Yes, "stroke of brilliance" is suitable for formal writing, but consider the context. It's most effective when genuinely highlighting exceptional ingenuity or insight. Alternatives such as "remarkable insight" might be more appropriate depending on the desired tone.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "stroke of brilliance"?

Avoid using "stroke of brilliance" for mundane or ordinary actions. It's best reserved for situations where the idea or action truly demonstrates exceptional cleverness or creativity. Using it too often can diminish its impact.