stroke of genius

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stroke of genius" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe a brilliant idea or a moment of creative insight. For example, you could say, "Her decision to invest in the company was a stroke of genius."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stroke of genius".

The New York Times

It's a stroke of genius.

The New York Times - Arts

His latest stroke of genius?

The Economist

It's a stroke of genius.

The Guardian - Film

The system was a stroke of genius.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This, surely, is a stroke of genius.

The Guardian - Music

Another stroke of genius on Fox's part.

The New York Times

That was a stroke of genius".

The New Yorker

Mrs. Phair tended to play down her stroke of genius.

The New York Times

The Missy Elliot soundtrack is also a stroke of genius.

The Guardian

The precedents suggest the levy is a stroke of genius.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stroke of genius" to describe a single, brilliant idea or action, rather than a prolonged period of success. It's best suited to describe moments of sudden insight or clever problem-solving.

Common error

Avoid using "stroke of genius" to describe ordinary or commonplace actions or ideas. This diminishes the impact of the phrase and can make your writing sound hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stroke of genius" is as a noun phrase. It typically functions as a subject complement or object, describing a noun or pronoun as being a brilliant idea or action, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stroke of genius" is a common noun phrase used to describe a particularly brilliant idea or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it should be used judiciously to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "brilliant idea" or "masterstroke" depending on the context and desired level of formality. Remember that a "stroke of genius" should truly reflect an exceptional level of insight or cleverness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

masterstroke

Implies a high level of skill and success in the action or idea.

exceptional insight

Highlights the deep understanding and perception behind the idea.

flash of inspiration

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the idea.

inspired thought

Highlights the inspirational aspect that leads to the idea.

ingenious solution

Highlights the cleverness and effectiveness of the solution.

breakthrough idea

Emphasizes that the idea represents a significant advancement.

clever innovation

Focuses on the innovative aspect of the idea and its cleverness.

brilliant idea

Focuses on the idea itself rather than the sudden inspiration.

innovative concept

Stresses the novelty and inventiveness of the idea.

brainwave

An informal term for a sudden clever idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "stroke of genius" to describe a particularly brilliant idea or action. For example, "Hiring a social media manager was a "stroke of genius", as it significantly increased our online presence."

What's a more formal alternative to "stroke of genius"?

More formal alternatives include "masterstroke", "inspired solution", or "ingenious innovation". These phrases convey a similar meaning while maintaining a more professional tone.

Is "stroke of genius" an idiom?

Yes, "stroke of genius" is an idiom that refers to a sudden, brilliant idea or action. It's a common expression used to describe moments of exceptional cleverness or insight.

What phrases are similar to "stroke of genius"?

Similar phrases include "brilliant idea", "flash of inspiration", and "ingenious solution". These alternatives capture the essence of a sudden, clever thought or action.