than the average bear

than the average bear

A comparative phrase meaning more/less, better/worse, etc., than the average person or thing. Originates from the animated character Yogi Bear, whose catchphrase is that he is "smarter than the average bear." He's certainly tougher than the average bear. I don't excel at all my subjects, but I still think I'm smarter than the average bear.
See also: average, bear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • average bear
  • a penny for them
  • fo sho
  • fosho
  • hakuna matata
  • baptism
  • baptism by fire
  • baptism of fire
  • a baptism of fire
  • still small voice
References in periodicals archive
These pathogens are smarter than the average bear. They appear to be able to adapt to their host, escape immune recognition, tolerate various antibiotics, and invade vital organs such as the brain and heart.
SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE BEAR Arfield celebrates Old Firm win after fulfilling potential Yogi saw in him as a teenager at Falkirk where training alongside Latapy, below, helped hone his talent
3 Which bear claimed to be 'smarter than the average bear, Booboo', although some would question the accuracy of that statement?
In this colorful and endearing read-to-me children's picture book, Mebo the blue panda looks, thinks, and dreams a little different than the average bear. Independent little Mebo doesn't see limitations in the world around him, or in the sky.
Who claimed he was smarter than the average bear? 4.
Plecas reminds us dummies that many reports make recommendations and expect government to find the money to implement them, but he's smarter than the average bear. "I can attest that there is no printing press for dollars hidden in the basement."
The Easter Road gaffer always found Rangers' assistant boss to be smarter than the average bear during their time together at the heart of the Everton defence.
This little tool makes it appear as if those successful people are simply smarter than the average bear. I call it the Grouping Strategy.
When your quarry has survived to a ripe old age, you really do have to be smarter than the average bear!
** Yogi Bear 3D (U) Surprisingly fun rebirth for the smarter than the average bear (Dan Aykroyd) as he, Boo Boo (Justin Timberlake) and Ranger Smith have to save Jellystone Park.
Smarter than the average bear: Yogi the baby red panda with his family at Dudley Zoo.
YOU'RE brighter than the average bear but have you made a booboo by trying to do too much at once?
Just be sure the subject matter is intellectually based--he's likely smarter than the average bear. His sense of humor rocks, too.
"I'm hoping we're smarter than the average bear as far as putting an emphasis on sports, and we're going to ride it as long as we can."
Julien's design has his trademark diamond studs spelling out his initials and making the donation smarter than the average bear.