clever clogs
Definition
- Noun:
- An intellectual who is ostentatiously and irritatingly knowledgeable: A person, often perceived as annoying, who shows off their intelligence or knowledge in a way that seems smug or superior.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in British and Commonwealth English. It is informal and almost always used in a mildly critical or teasing way to describe someone who is being a know-it-all.
- It can be used as a form of direct address (e.g., "Alright, clever clogs, what's the answer then?") to challenge someone who is showing off their knowledge.
Variants and Related Words
- Clever Dick (noun, chiefly British, informal): A synonym with identical meaning and connotation.
- Know-it-all (noun): A more direct synonym common in American English.
- Smart alec (noun, informal): Another synonym for a conceited and irritatingly clever person.
Synonyms
- Know-it-all
- Smart alec
- Wise guy (informal, often US)
- Pedant (though this emphasizes excessive focus on minor details rather than just showing off)
Related Idioms
- To be a clever clogs: To act in the manner of one.
Noun
-
an intellectual who is ostentatiously and irritatingly knowledgeable
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