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Meaning & use

bold decision

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌbəʊld dɪˈsɪʒən/
US/ˌboʊld dɪˈsɪʒən/

Meanings

  1. phrasecountable

    A choice that takes courage because it involves risk or goes against what most people expect.

    Grammar: Countable phrase: you can say 'a bold decision' or 'bold decisions' (plural).

    Patterns

    • make a bold decision
    • a bold decision to do something
    • take a bold decision

    The company made a bold decision to close its most profitable store.

    Leaving her job to travel was a bold decision, but she never regretted it.

    They took a bold decision to invest everything in the new product.

  2. phrasecountable

    A decision that is confident and clearly stated, not hesitant or vague.

    Grammar: Often used with 'make' or 'take'; the opposite is 'a cautious decision'.

    Patterns

    • a bold decision on something
    • a bold decision by someone

    The mayor's bold decision on housing surprised both parties.

    Her bold decision to speak first set the tone for the whole meeting.

Common combinations

make a bold decision
You have to make a bold decision if you want to stand out.
a bold decision to do something
It was a bold decision to launch the app without testing it.
take a bold decision
The board took a bold decision to cut prices by half.
a bold decision by someone
The bold decision by the coach changed the game.
a bold decision on something
They need a bold decision on climate policy.

Synonyms and how they differ

daring choice
'Daring choice' stresses excitement and possible danger more than 'bold decision', which can also mean simply confident.
courageous decision
'Courageous decision' focuses on bravery in the face of fear; 'bold decision' can also suggest confidence or a willingness to shock.
audacious decision
'Audacious decision' is stronger and often slightly disapproving, suggesting the choice was shockingly risky.

Opposites

cautious decisiontimid decision

Word family

boldly adverb
In a bold or confident way.
boldness noun
The quality of being bold.
decide verb
To make a choice.
decision noun
A choice that you make.

Commonly confused: bold decision or bald? bold decision or boldly?

bold decision vs bald

'Bald' means having no hair; 'bold' means brave or confident. They sound almost the same but are spelled differently.

bold decision vs boldly

'Boldly' is the adverb ('she spoke boldly'), while 'bold decision' uses the adjective before a noun.

Practice

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