# too clever by half

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/too-clever-by-half
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Shrewd but flawed by overthinking or excessive complexity, with a resulting tendency to be unreliable or unsuccessful.

## Examples

- He is too clever by half and often makes silly mistakes.
- The consultant tried to impress the board with a complex strategy, but he was too clever by half and ignored the basic facts.
- While his intricate plan initially seemed brilliant, he proved to be too clever by half, as his over-complicated logic eventually caused the entire project to collapse.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.