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Meaning & use

infinite wisdom

phrase, noun·Advancedfigurative

Last updated

UK/ˈɪnfɪnət ˈwɪzdəm/
US/ˈɪnfənət ˈwɪzdəm/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiomhumorousdisapproving

    Used in the expression in someone's infinite wisdom, to mock a decision-maker whose choice seems unwise.

    Grammar: Almost always in the pattern in your/his/their infinite wisdom, set off by commas.

    Patterns

    • in someone's infinite wisdom
    • decide in your infinite wisdom

    The manager, in his infinite wisdom, scheduled the meeting for six in the morning.

    In their infinite wisdom, the council closed the only car park.

    She, in her infinite wisdom, lent him the car right before the storm.

  2. noununcountablereligionliterary

    Boundless understanding and good judgment, usually attributed to God or a higher power.

    Grammar: Uncountable and usually religious or literary: trust in God's infinite wisdom.

    Patterns

    • the infinite wisdom of someone

    Believers trust in the infinite wisdom of the creator.

    The poem praises the infinite wisdom of nature.

Common combinations

in his infinite wisdom
The coach, in his infinite wisdom, benched our best player.
in her infinite wisdom
She decided, in her infinite wisdom, to skip breakfast.
in their infinite wisdom
In their infinite wisdom, the airline lost every bag.
God's infinite wisdom
They found comfort in God's infinite wisdom.
trust in infinite wisdom
He learned to trust in infinite wisdom during hard times.

Synonyms and how they differ

great wisdom
Great wisdom is plain praise, whereas infinite wisdom in the idiom is usually ironic.
boundless insight
Boundless insight is a sincere literary phrase and has no sarcasm.
omniscience
Omniscience means knowing everything and is a more formal, philosophical word.

Opposites

folly

Word family

infinite adjective
without limit
infinitely adverb
without limit; extremely
wise adjective
having good judgment
wisdom noun
good judgment from experience

Commonly confused: infinite wisdom or infinite knowledge?

infinite wisdom vs infinite knowledge

Infinite knowledge means knowing everything, but infinite wisdom is about good judgment, and the idiom is usually sarcastic.

Practice

What does the speaker mean: 'The boss, in his infinite wisdom, canceled the bonus'?

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