wisewise1 /waɪz/ ●●● S3 adjective 
It’s wise to check whether the flight times have changed before you leave for the airport.be wise to do something I think you were wise to leave when you did. a wise precaution I don’t think that would be a very wise move (=not be a sensible thing to do).2person someone who is wise makes good decisions, gives good advice etc, especially because they have a lot of experience of life: a wise old man At the time I thought he was wonderful, but I’m older and wiser now. As a manager, Sanford was wise in the ways of (=knew a lot about) company politics.► see thesaurus at intelligent3be none the wiser/not be any the wiser a)to not understand something even after it has been explained to you: Charlie explained how the system works, but I’m still none the wiser. b)used for saying that no one will find out about something bad that someone has done: He could easily have taken the money and no one would have been any the wiser.4get/be wise to somebody/something informal to realize that someone is being dishonest: Teachers quickly get wise to students who are cheating. → wise up at wise25wise guy informal especially American English an annoying person who thinks they know more than they really do: OK, wise guy, shut up and listen!6be wise after the event to realize what you should have done in a situation after it has happened: It’s easy to be wise after the event.—wisely adverb: Invest the money wisely. He nodded wisely. → wisdom, → sadder but wiser at sad(6)
WORD ORIGINwise1
Origin:
Old English wisEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "I've decided to apply for that job." "I think that's a very wise decision."
- a wise investment
- Burton didn't like what he was hearing, but he was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself.
- Buying good health insurance was a wise decision.
- Do you think it's wise for him to travel alone?
- He thought it might be wise not to tell her what had happened.
- She was a wise old woman, and we all valued her advice.
- If at all possible, it's wise to discuss attitudes to communal living before jointly moving in.
- If our species is extinguished, others will be wiser or luckier.
- If that were all, I'd applaud it as a wise and public-spirited action and I hope it starts a trend.
- One thing is certain: It has never been wise to underestimate Yeltsin.
- Perhaps it would be wise to telephone first.
- The wise use of time can be a crucial element in other ways.
THESAURUS
having a high level of mental ability, and good at thinking clearly and understanding ideas: · The top universities aim to select the most intelligent students.
especially British English, smart especially American English intelligent, so that you can think and learn quickly and find ways to solve problems: · That was very clever of you. How did you do that?· I wasn’t smart enough to be a lawyer.
intelligent – used especially about children and young people: · He’s a very bright kid.· the brightest student in the class
extremely intelligent and good at the work you do: · a brilliant scientist
a gifted child is much more intelligent than most other children: · a special school for gifted children
able to make good decisions and give sensible advice, especially because you have a lot of experience: · a wise old man
good at using your intelligence to get what you want, often by making secret plans or tricking people: · She was cunning enough to keep this latest piece of information secret.· He’s a crafty old devil!
informal intelligent and good at studying: · My sister is the brainy one in our family.
Longman Language Activatorto find out something new or something that was secret · He just had to hope he'd get away with it and that nobody would find out.· She doesn't want people to find out her age.· You read her diary? Just make sure she never finds out!find out what/why/how etc · Dad was furious when he found out where I was living.find out about · It's a surprise party, so I don't want her to find out about it.find out (that) · It was three months before my parents found out I'd been going out with Peter.find somebody out (=find out someone's secret) British · It won't work. Someone's bound to find you out eventually.
to find out information that has been deliberately kept secret, especially while you are studying or examining a particular subject: · Detectives have uncovered a plan to smuggle illegal weapons into the country.· Lawyers unearthed evidence that he held several bank accounts.
to find out information by searching carefully for it, especially information about someone's past that they have deliberately tried to keep secret: dig something up/dig up something: · I wanted to dig a few more facts up for my article.dig up dirt on somebody (=find out something bad about someone): · Politicians try to dig up dirt on their opponents.dig something up on somebody: · He wanted as much evidence as could be dug up on the girl.
to find something out, especially the truth about a situation, or facts that someone has tried to hide: · It's hard to get at the facts when people are afraid to speak out.· He was a good reporter, who wanted to get at the truth and present it without bias.
informal to find out about a situation or something that is going to happen, especially when it is supposed to be secret: · Reporters somehow got wind of the fact that Carr was going to be arrested.
informal to find out about something such as a trick or an illegal activity: · The police parked an empty patrol car there to reduce speeding, but drivers got wise to it pretty quickly.
quick to understand or make decisions intelligent and able to understand things quickly: · Some children in the class are quicker than others.· She's very quick and able -- seems to pick things up in no time.quick at (doing) something: · Craig was always quick at maths, but he had trouble with reading and writing.
someone who is sharp understands things very quickly, especially so that it is difficult to deceive or confuse them: · There's no point lying to her - she's much too sharp.razor sharp (=extremely sharp): · Those lawyers are razor sharp, and you've got to be careful about every single word you say.
able to understand things quickly and to answer people in an intelligent way: · John was always so quick-witted that I used to think he would have made a good secret agent.· Throughout a lifetime of public service, he proved himself a quick-witted negotiator.
a wise person makes good decisions and gives good advice, because they have a lot of experience of life - use this especially about older people: · She was a wise old woman, and we all valued her advice.· Burton didn't like what he was hearing, but he was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself.
spoken informal someone who is quick on the uptake learns new things and understands a situation very quickly: · You're very quick on the uptake! How did you guess?· We're looking for new staff - people who are neat, enthusiastic and quick on the uptake.
an annoying person who thinks they are clever also know-all British spoken someone who annoys you because they always think they know the correct answers, know a lot about something etc: · OK, if you're such a know-it-all, you try and do it, then.· I just wish he'd stop being such a know-all all the time.
informal someone, especially a young person, who annoys you because they say funny or intelligent things in a rude way: · Glover was different to the rest of us. The son of university people. A smart aleck.· Some smart aleck at the back of the room kept standing up and asking awkward questions.
American informal someone who annoys you because they make jokes or give answers in a rude but funny way: · OK, smart-ass! If I want an answer from you I'll ask for it.
British informal use this about someone who uses their intelligence in a way that annoys other people, and will probably get into trouble at some time in the future: · Phil's good at thinking up excuses for his behaviour - he's too clever by half.
decisions/plans/ideas/actions a sensible decision, idea, plan etc is likely to have good results because it is based on good, practical reasons: · He gave me some very sensible advice.· If anyone has any sensible suggestions as to how to deal with this, please let me know.it is sensible to do something: · It would have been more sensible to save the money than to spend it all on clothes.the sensible thing to do (=used to give advice): · The sensible thing to do would be to rest until you feel better.
especially spoken if something makes sense , it seems a very sensible thing to do: · There are parts of the plan that simply don't make sense.it makes sense (for somebody) to do something: · It made sense for Sam to live nearer the college.· It may not make sense to rebuild the houses damaged by the floods.
especially spoken to seem to be the right and sensible thing to do: · Yes, I think a short meeting this afternoon would be a good idea.· "Should I phone him?" "I don't think that's a good idea."it's a good idea to do something: · It's a good idea to tell a friend if you are going on a date with someone you don't know well.
a reasonable idea, request, action etc seems sensible and fair, and you can understand the reasons for it: · I thought her request for more information was reasonable, but it was refused.· I'll go along with any reasonable plan.it is reasonable to assume/believe/suppose: · It's reasonable to assume that most prices will go up again.
based on facts and intelligent thinking, and not influenced by feelings or the imagination: · Education helps us to make rational decisions.· People's behaviour isn't always purely rational.
based on a good understanding of what is or is not possible: · The city authorities are trying to work out a practical solution to the problem of homelessness.· Starting my own business isn't a very realistic idea at the moment.· If you want to sell your home, be realistic about the price.
based on facts and what is likely to really succeed, but not always considering other things such as people's feelings, or attempting anything more exciting or risky: · Pragmatic considerations led the government to abandon pure Marxist policies.· We need a pragmatic approach to sex education in schools.
a logical action or decision seems to be clearly the right thing to do, because it is based on thinking intelligently about all the facts of a situation, and not based on feelings or emotions: · As I wanted to travel to other countries, studying languages was the logical choice.· This is the logical place to build a new airport.· It seemed logical to start by visiting the scene of the crime.
a wise decision or action is based on good judgement and on your experience of life: · "I've decided to apply for that job." "I think that's a very wise decision."· a wise investmentit is wise (for somebody) to do something: · He thought it might be wise not to tell her what had happened.· Do you think it's wise for him to travel alone?
according to what is generally accepted as being sensible and reasonable and no more: · Children should, within reason, be able to experiment with many different activities.· Within reason, the city does what it can to prevent traffic accidents.
to not understand · They didn't understand a single word she said.· Tell me if you don't understand.· She thought about getting a divorce, but she knew her children would never understand.· He made a few references to the CIA and national security, which Wilson did not understand.not understand why/how/what/where · I really can't understand why so many people like her music.
also can't makes heads or tails (out) of American informal to be unable to understand something at all because it is very complicated or confusing: · I just can't make head or tail of this train timetable.· I couldn't make head or tail of this book, and had real trouble finishing it.· Consumers can't always make heads or tails out of the way nutrition is labeled on a food package.
to be much too complicated or technical for someone to understand: · It was obvious from her expression that what I was saying was over her head.be way/completely over somebody's head: · I went to the lecture, but it was way over my head.
to be involved in a situation or activity which is too difficult for you to understand: · She was out of her depth in the advanced class, so they moved her to the intermediate class.be way/completely out of your depth: · I tried to read the report, but I was way out of my depth.
to still not understand something after someone has tried to explain it to you: · I've read the manual but I'm still none the wiser.leave somebody none the wiser: · His explanations of how it worked left me none the wiser.
spoken to not understand the reason for something: don't/can't see why/how/what/where: · I didn't see how they could sell it so cheaply.· I can't see why you think it's any of your business.
spoken say this when you cannot understand why something happens or how someone does something, and you find it very surprising: be a mystery to me/be beyond me/beats me how/what/why etc: · It's a mystery to me how he can get so much work done in such a short time.· Why anyone would willingly do that job is beyond me.it beats me/it's beyond me etc.: · "Why does she stay with her husband then?" "It beats me."
you say I can't think or I can't imagine how or why someone does something when you cannot think of any reasonable explanation why someone should do it, and are very surprised that they do: I can't think/can't imagine why/how etc: · He wants to join the army -- I can't think why.· How such a stupid man ever got to be a politician, I just can't imagine.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I don’t think that would be a very wise move (=not be a sensible thing to do). At the time I thought he was wonderful, but I’m older and wiser now. As a manager, Sanford was wise in the ways of (=knew a lot about) company politics.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
I don’t think that would be a very wise move (=not be a sensible thing to do). At the time I thought he was wonderful, but I’m older and wiser now. As a manager, Sanford was wise in the ways of (=knew a lot about) company politics. (=very sensible)· A pension might be a wise investment.
(=sensible)· I’m not sure it was a good move giving him the job.
· Fitting window locks is a sensible precaution.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· It's always wise to follow the technical advice offered by paving manufacturers when preparing the foundations of your patio.· It is always wise to look towards those who inspire and impress you.· It is always wise to remember that the seeds are more important than the nurse crop.· It is always wise to write down important points so that there is no risk of misunderstanding.· It is always wise to have a dual flight before flying solo at an unfamiliar site.· It was always wise to work out a line of retreat as well as a line of approach.· Dumb shit, Jay, always wise after the non-event!
· Eventually I though it much wiser to give up being called Manager and since then I've had to adapt myself.· In our caste, ladies are much wiser.· Which left him not much wiser, but you couldn't win all the time.· You're much wiser not to draw attention to yourself.· But no doubt he will be much wiser next time around.· If Margaret was ignorant of what was going on, then Polly was not much wiser.
· Sadly neither the column nor our old friend Allan Edgar was so wise.· No researcher is so wise that all plans work perfectly.· You've been so wise about other people's problems.· He was so wise, so deep.· Even so wise a critic as Barry Ulanov missed the boat on Monk.
· She was full of words, but she was too wise a woman to speak them.· Quelala was much too wise not to swim, and he was not in the least spoiled by all his good fortune.· I am too wise now to believe I can buy my freedom with Undry.
· You're very wise to get yourself insured.· Good filtration is required, and a 25% weekly water change is very wise.· But it struck me then how very wise he was to keep his sexy side so firmly battened down on duty.· She's very wise and kind, and she listens.· It was a wise decision, Jean-Paul. Very wise.· He was small, rather Prussian in manner and very wise.· They were very wise and crystal clear - after the event.· However, like it or not, this policy, together with our alternating crewing system was a very wise move on the part of management.
NOUN· The wisest advice is often the simplest.· That wise advice captures the uses -- and the limits -- of advice columns.· In fading winter light that seemed wise advice and we retraced our steps to the gentler landscape of Teesdale itself.
· And a wise choice it turned out to be.· His doctrine, containment, proved to have been a wise choice over the long haul.· A wise choice is dependent upon two questions you must ask yourself: 1.· The government had made a wise choice.· It was not, he admits, the wisest choice for a beginner.· There were times when running was the wisest choice.· Radcliffe is not a wise choice of companion for you at this particular point in your family crisis.· I recall Sir chose swan, a very wise choice for Sir to make, if I might opine.
· Giant leaps into the unknown are dangerous and therefore wiser counsel may preach limited change from the existing position. 3.· His service and wise counsel during his tenure as chairman have been greatly appreciated by all of us on the Board.· He was in the office offering wise counsel, encouraging a forward look a weekend or two before he died.
· The wisest course is to take off the bud and burn it - you will not get a bloom anyway.· But the wisest course of action is to tackle the problem at source and cut your fuel bills.· Lucy had already decided that this would be the wisest course for her to take.
· We pray for the general synod as it meets shortly, for wise decisions and clear leadership.· Hugh Sloan made the wisest decision of all.· It is a wise decision on your part.· As a result, managers can safely focus on making wise decisions.· It was a wise decision, Jean-Paul.· Is a personal pension a wise decision?· This turned out to have been a wise decision.
· Which just leaves De Niro, whose charismatic wise guy routine is disappointingly adequate and no more.· But you better deliver the goods, wise guy.· He grabbed dance by the arm and led it into the world of city rhythms, wise guys and lovers.· But to be honest, I like to see a little bit of a wise guy in my coaches.
· Repair kits, if not supplied with the tent, are cheap and a wise investment.· Critics of the privatization plan also worry that many individuals do not have the expertise to make wise investments.· But the amount of available time, unlike money, can not be increased by wise investment or hard work.· The bottom line: Taking time now to plan is a wise investment toward a more enjoyable and economically feasible vacation.
· The next day I too rose a wiser man.· They are not the implements of a wise man.· It is marked by the arrival of the 3 wise men.· There he met a wise man who gave him the answer to the question that had haunted him.· Men are shown in different roles, as innkeepers, shepherds, wise men and fathers.· It needs time to get the wise men in their places.· I feel like one of the three wise men, love, enjoy!· At all times all wise men had revered the mysterious organ of generation through which alone might life be entered.
· There were many more than two hundred behind that large banner, so was it the wisest move?· This wise move was not made because of treaties.· I knew it wouldn't be a wise move for me.· But the doctor decided to cover the full investment for $ 550, 000, a wise move.· Did I think it would be a wise move or should she try to persuade Meredith to keep her on for Christmas?· Killing this guy was not a wise move.· However, like it or not, this policy, together with our alternating crewing system was a very wise move on the part of management.· The wisest move at this point would be to begin reading the first page.
· It turned out to be a wise precaution.· This wise precaution preserved the Garden for posterity.· It follows that careful monitoring of patients for their susceptibility to depression before prescribing mood-altering drugs would be a wise precaution.· Even when the installation has been undertaken by an expert, the inclusion of a circuit breaker is a wise precaution.· It is a wise precaution to meet new clients, rather than to deal with them over the telephone or by correspondence.· Carrying an ice axe is, however, a wise precaution.· Ineffectual or not against lingering gases it seemed a wise precaution, even if it was only psychological.· It is probably a wise precaution in view of allegations that the couple stole billions of dollars from their country.
· Both regions include splendid scenery and wildlife, for which a possible wise use is well-managed tourism.· The wise use of time can be a crucial element in other ways.· There is no wise use for wilderness, except to preserve it by excluding man altogether.
· The wise woman filled a bowl with water and looked into it.· She stated that a wise woman would choose her mate on the basis of his qualities of character.· The tradition of the wise woman, as seer and healer.· Just what country people call a wise woman.
· So let me leave you with a few wise words.· Kiss's bass-playing spokesman Gene Simmons ponders the curious longevity of his band, while imparting a few wise words on rock'n'roll in general.· Newton should have heeded his own wise words.· From a survivor's point of view, those are wise words.· They all look to him for wise words.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be wise after the event► be none the wiser/not be any the wiserPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► sadder and/but wiser
1decision/idea etc wise decisions and actions are sensible and based on good judgment SYN sensibleit is wise to do something- But it seems doubtful if theologies would be wise to regard that importance as the beginning and the end of their business.
- Confidence just got wise and the guys it got wise to are wondering where it has gone.
- He's not and would be wise to bite his tongue.
- It is wise to remember that these men were competing at a time when the black presence was of only tiny significance.
- Perhaps it would be wiser to run now and ask questions later.
- Still, it always is wise to hedge our bets about the future.
- The old tramp has served his purpose, but beyond this point it would not be wise to go.
- With ear-shattering shrieks echoing around the square, I decided it would be wise to wonder elsewhere.
- All right wise guy, I don't need to hear any more jokes out of you!
- But to be honest, I like to see a little bit of a wise guy in my coaches.
- But you better deliver the goods, wise guy.
- He grabbed dance by the arm and led it into the world of city rhythms, wise guys and lovers.
- Which just leaves De Niro, whose charismatic wise guy routine is disappointingly adequate and no more.
- I hadn't noticed what a weird old bird Ned was, either.
- Just so. Funny old bird.
- I've read the instructions, but I'm still none the wiser.
- They replaced the painting with a copy and the public was none the wiser.
- After spending $ 88m in his two bids, he seemed none the wiser.
- This goes on for several hours, and Blue is none the wiser for his efforts.
- Tommy, unable to read, is none the wiser.
It’s wise to check whether the flight times have changed before you leave for the airport.be wise to do something I think you were wise to leave when you did. a wise precaution I don’t think that would be a very wise move (=not be a sensible thing to do).2person someone who is wise makes good decisions, gives good advice etc, especially because they have a lot of experience of life: a wise old man At the time I thought he was wonderful, but I’m older and wiser now. As a manager, Sanford was wise in the ways of (=knew a lot about) company politics.► see thesaurus at intelligent3be none the wiser/not be any the wiser a)to not understand something even after it has been explained to you: Charlie explained how the system works, but I’m still none the wiser. b)used for saying that no one will find out about something bad that someone has done: He could easily have taken the money and no one would have been any the wiser.4get/be wise to somebody/something informal to realize that someone is being dishonest: Teachers quickly get wise to students who are cheating. → wise up at wise25wise guy informal especially American English an annoying person who thinks they know more than they really do: OK, wise guy, shut up and listen!6be wise after the event to realize what you should have done in a situation after it has happened: It’s easy to be wise after the event.—wisely adverb: Invest the money wisely. He nodded wisely. → wisdom, → sadder but wiser at sad(6)