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Glite Dictionary
broad-brush approach

broad-brush approach

6.4
A general way of dealing with something that ignores small details
  • noun
translation icon : enfoque general
  • Many educators criticize the broad-brush approach to teaching that fails to address individual student needs.

Examples

  • A broad-brush approach to solving economic problems can overlook important factors that contribute to inequality.

  • I am really sick of this broad-brush approach to describing teachers in America.

    Blog text (13)

  • The problem with such a broad-brush approach is that sanctions tend to affect the general population, while those in the government and the military are able to skirt the sanctions.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Using a broad-brush approach in policy-making may lead to solutions that are too simplistic for complex issues.

Synonyms

generalization
vsbroad-brush approach
  • US
43 5.3

A statement that applies to many people or situations

is a practical method that treats situations generally rather than drawing broad claims
oversimplification
vsbroad-brush approach
10 7.0

Making something seem simpler than it really is by leaving out important details

is a general method that treats situations broadly while ignoring details
overgeneralization
vsbroad-brush approach
1 7.6

Applying one idea to many cases when it does not fit

is a broad method that ignores specific exceptions rather than misapplying rules
reductive analysis
vsbroad-brush approach
  • Formal
1 8.2

A way of looking at a subject that makes it seem simpler than it really is

takes a broad, surface-level approach instead of detailed breakdown
reductive approach
vsbroad-brush approach
7.4

A way of looking at something too simply that misses important details

focuses on general treatment rather than breaking things into parts
simplism
vsbroad-brush approach
8.7

Act of treating a problem as simpler than it is by ignoring important details

is a method that handles matters generally rather than focusing on specifics
hand-waving
vsbroad-brush approach
  • Informal
7.9

An explanation that is vague and lacks proof or important detail

is a general way of dealing with something, not merely a vague answer
generalism
vsbroad-brush approach
8.0

Expressing ideas in broad, not detailed statements rather than specific facts

is an approach that ignores finer points rather than just using wide language

How Specific

comprehensive
298 4.6
top-down
9 6.0
broad-brush approach
6.4

Surface Forms

broad-brush approach singular
broad-brush approaches plural

Morphology

broad-brush + approach

The meaning can be partly derived from the constituents: 'broad' = wide/general and 'brush' invokes the metaphor of making broad strokes, so a 'broad-brush approach' denotes a general or oversimplified method. Because this relies on a metaphorical extension (painting with broad strokes) rather than a strictly compositional combination, a B1 learner who knows the words may guess the sense but might not fully predict the nuance without exposure.

Etymology

The noun broad-brush approach comes from the image of a painter using a very wide brush and making broad strokes to cover a large area quickly, so small details are hidden. That's why the phrase means a way of dealing with something in a 'general' or 'too simple' way that ignores important details.