Logic & Wisdom: English Vocabulary List

a person's ability to make good judgments and behave sensibly

"Her horse sense helped avoid trouble."

"Her horse sense helped avoid trouble and she trusted her instincts when something felt wrong."

(of an argument, theory, etc.) to be believable or supported by evidence

"His story does not hold water."

"The detective quickly realized that the suspect's alibi did not hold water under closer scrutiny and further questioning."

natural or instinctive intelligence and common sense that comes from personal experience and intuition rather than formal education or training

"He relied on mother wit to survive."

"He relied on mother wit to survive and figured out solutions without any formal training."

used when one does something even though one knows it is not sensible

"I took the job against my better judgment."

"Against my better judgment I lent my friend money that he never paid back."

to speak in a clear and reasonable manner

"Please talk sense now."

"After much confusion, the manager finally started to talk sense about the company's new strategic direction."

the mental state of actively engaging in thought or problem-solving, often with an emphasis on creativity or generating ideas

"Put your thinking cap on for this puzzle."

"Put your thinking cap on for this puzzle and be prepared to think outside the box."

to start thinking or acting in a way that seems foolish

"Have you taken leave of your senses?"

"The old man took leave of his senses and started walking down the highway in his pyjamas."

a young person or a child who talks and behaves like an older or more experienced person would

"He has wise head."

"My little sister is an old head on young shoulders because she always gives very mature and thoughtful advice."

exceptionally wise compared to most people at one's age

"He is wise beyond his years."

"The young pianist was wise beyond her years and played with the emotion of a much older musician."

a person's ability to learn or understand something

"Use your gray matter."

"Solving this complex puzzle requires a significant amount of gray matter and logical thinking."