stroke of genius

stroke of genius

A particularly inspired, clever, or innovative act, idea, or decision. Their decision to let customers from any other operating system migrate their information was a stroke of genius. I must say, it was a stroke of genius getting the kids all those puzzles—they've been playing quietly for hours!
See also: genius, of, stroke
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stroke of genius

an act of genius; a very clever and innovative idea or task. Your idea of painting the rock wall red was a stroke of genius.
See also: genius, of, stroke
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

stroke of genius

an outstandingly brilliant and original idea.
See also: genius, of, stroke
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

stroke of genius, a

A brilliant idea. This cliché, in which stroke betokens the sudden appearance of the idea, dates from the second half of the 1800s and at first was always used admiringly. Thus the Tacoma News of December 13, 1889, stated, “The latest nickel-in-the slot scheme is really a stroke of genius and is destined to revolutionize cheap literature in this country.” Later, however, the term was often used sarcastically, as in “You forgot the tickets? That was a stroke of genius.”
See also: of, stroke
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • stroke of genius, a
  • make a decision
  • make the call
  • be in (one's) hands
  • landmark decision
  • agonize
  • agonize (oneself) over
  • agonize over
  • automated decision support
  • support
References in periodicals archive
Perhaps the most fortuitous accident (or was it a stroke of genius?) was the origin of Sunburst's trout caviar, the product that they are most famous for across the world and in western North Carolina's free restaurants.
That first poet-mayor's stroke of genius ensured Europe's continuing competitive interests in Venetian real estate (both figuratively and literally).
Now win their leaders/loyalty and you've won the peace./Sometimes a man, innocent or not,/has to die to pay the price of it.//The man was innocent, you say?/But don't forget you washed your hands of him--/a little water cleared you of the deed./What a stroke of genius! Too bad/about your wife, though, washing her hands/a hundred times a day./No doubt in time/to come someone will make a play of it./Tell her what's done is done--/what's one life less as long as it's not hers./Perhaps you'd like to bring her too next time.//That's fifty denarii, please.
Doing so was a stroke of genius: The exotic game ranch has proven extremely popular with everyone who visits the site, says Doersam.
Blige, Aretha Franklin, Gerald Levert, Jonathan Butler and other artists; Gerald Levert, STROKE OF GENIUS (Elektra); Fabolous, MORE STREET DREAMS PART 2/THE MIXTAPE (Elektra); ULTIMATE TONI BRAXTON (Arista); and Marques Houston, MH(Elektra).
What a stroke of genius to have Matthews read; with his dry British accent, often Monty Pythonian in delivery; he is absolutely perfect here.
The stroke of genius that allows these schools to function is a corporate work-study program in which all students work one day a week at an entry-level professional job.
Ben Marion, who came along later, says Munsell's idea of an ag agency bringing in a guy like White to take the lead on consumer research was a stroke of genius at the time.
Their stroke of genius: a neon red full-size virtual keyboard that projects onto any flat surface.
Another controversial issue, the politically charged Lands for Life - (now Living Legacy) process, Miller calls "a stroke of genius" on the province's part.
On paper, casting Jack Palance as Long John Silver would seem a stroke of genius; sadly, Palance doesn't bring much more than a few of his well-seasoned squints and arched smiles to Robert Louis Stevenson's blustery, complex hero-villain.
Pioneer's newest drive (model DVR-A03) writes DVD-RW as well as DVD-R, and--a stroke of genius here--it also writes CD-R and CD-RW.
Marketing "energy" to the average office worker, stay-at-home mom, or just about anyone was a stroke of genius that's paying off big-time ...
History: This one was a stroke of genius on the part of the buzzword creators.
His greatest stroke of genius was in making so much of the glowing curvaceous mass of the hall.