Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
too-clever-by-half
idiom
/tuː ˈklɛvər baɪ hɑːf/
Definition
A phrase used to describe someone who is so clever or smart that it leads to negative consequences; often implying that their intelligence is misguided or overconfidence.
Examples
- His too-clever-by-half attitude got him into trouble during the meeting.
- She thought she could outsmart everyone, but her too-clever-by-half plan backfired.
- Being too clever by half, he underestimated the opponents’ strategy.
Meaning
The expression suggests that a person’s cleverness is excessive or not utilized wisely, resulting in folly or embarrassment.
Synonyms
- overly clever
- smart aleck
- too smart for one’s own good
