unwise
gb/ʌnwˈaɪz/ us/ʌnwˈaɪz/
B2
English
meggondolatlan
B2
1
Usage pattern:
an unwise [decision/choice/move/investment]; it is unwise to [do something]
It was unwise to borrow money without reading the contract.
Meggondolatlan dolog pénzt kölcsönvenni a szerződés elolvasása nélkül.
Leaving your passport in the car is unwise.
Meggondolatlan dolog az útleveledet a kocsiban hagyni.
The report warns that cutting staff now would be unwise.
Learner examples
It is unwise to spend all your money.
Meggondolatlan dolog az összes pénzedet elkölteni.
That was an unwise choice.
Ez meggondolatlan döntés volt.
Common mistake:
Learners may use unwise to mean “not intelligent.” More often it means “not a good decision” or “not advisable.”
Meaning
showing poor judgment; not advisable
Collocations
unwise decision
|unwise choice
|unwise move
|unwise investment
|unwise policy
|unwise to do something
|financially unwise
|politically unwise
|profoundly unwise
|arguably unwise
Synonyms
ill-advised (suggests the decision should not be made.)
|
imprudent (more formal; emphasizes lack of caution.)
|
foolish (stronger and more critical in tone.)
|
inadvisable (formal; focuses on what should not be done.)
Antonyms
wise (showing good judgment.)
|
prudent (careful and sensible about risk.)
|
sensible (reasonable and practical.)
Themes
decision_making
|risk
|daily_life
Definition
not a good or sensible idea
Not wise; showing poor judgment, or likely to cause problems or regret.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is unwise (to [do something])
He was unwise to trust a stranger with his bank details.
Meggondolatlan volt egy idegenre bízni a banki adatait.
It would be unwise of her to quit without another job lined up.
Meggondolatlan lenne tőle felmondani úgy, hogy nincs kilátásban másik állása.
They were young and unwise, but eager to prove themselves.
Learner examples
He was unwise to drive so fast.
Meggondolatlan volt ilyen gyorsan vezetnie.
She was unwise with money.
Meggondolatlanul bánt a pénzzel.
Common mistake:
Often sounds less natural than describing the action: “That was unwise” is more common than “He is unwise.”
Meaning
lacking wisdom or good judgment
Collocations
unwise ruler
|unwise leader
|unwise man
|unwise woman
|seem unwise
|prove unwise
|unwise about money
|unwise in retrospect
Synonyms
short-sighted (emphasizes not thinking about the future.)
|
reckless (stronger; implies taking dangerous risks.)
|
imprudent (more formal; emphasizes lack of caution.)
Antonyms
wise (having and showing good judgment.)
|
thoughtful (carefully considered.)
|
prudent (careful and cautious.)
Themes
people
|behavior
|decision_making
Definition
not good at making sensible decisions
Not wise or lacking good judgment (used to describe a person, especially in a particular situation).
Grammar
Dictionary form
unwise
IPA
GB/ʌnwˈaɪz/
US/ʌnwˈaɪz/
Syllables & stress
un - wise (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (wise)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unwise
Expressions
be unwise enough to [do something]
1/bˈi ʌnwˈaɪz ɪnˈʌf tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
be foolish enough to do
to do something very foolish
Examples
- If you’re unwise enough to drive after drinking, you deserve to lose your license.
- He was unwise enough to insult his boss in a meeting.
- Anyone unwise enough to click that link is risking their data.
Learner examples
- He was unwise enough to lie to the police.
it would be unwise to [do something]
1/ˈɪt wˈʊd bˈi ʌnwˈaɪz tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
not a good idea to do
you should not do it because it may cause problems
Examples
- It would be unwise to ignore the doctor’s advice.
- It would be unwise to invest money you might need next month.
- It would be unwise to assume the price will stay the same.
Learner examples
- It would be unwise to go out in the storm.
unwise in the extreme
1/ʌnwˈaɪz ˈɪn ðə ɪkstɹˈim/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely unwise
very unwise
Examples
- It was unwise in the extreme to publish the names online.
- The committee agreed that the cut would be unwise in the extreme.
- Ignoring the safety report would be unwise in the extreme.