smart (redirected from smartness)

It's easy to be wise after the event. (British, American & Australian, American)

something that you say which means that it is easy to understand what you could have done to prevent something bad from happening after it has happened. In retrospect I suppose we should have realised that she was in trouble and tried to help her but then I suppose it's easy to be wise after the event. People often tell me they'd never have taken out a loan if they'd thought about it more carefully - but it's easy to be smart after the fact.

See also: after, easy, event, it's, wise

a smart alec/aleck (informal)

someone who is always trying to seem more clever than everyone else in a way that is annoying. Some smart alec in the audience kept making witty remarks during my talk.

a smart bomb

a bomb that guides itself by receiving signals from the ground. Laser-guided smart bombs were hitting targets only about 60 per cent of the time.

See also: bomb

a smart cookie (American)

someone who is clever and good at dealing with difficult situations. If anyone can make this company succeed, it's Kathy - she's one smart cookie.

See also: cookie

smart drugs (British & Australian)

drugs which make you more intelligent or make you think more clearly. I have my exams in two weeks - I could use some smart drugs.

the smart money

1. if the smart money is on something happening, or on someone or something being successful, people with a good knowledge about it believe that is what will happen. Hurt's best-actor award surprised even Hollywood insiders - the smart money was on Jack Nicholson. The smart money says that the industry will end up drastically reduced.

2. money which is spent by people who are very successful in business. The smart money is coming back into mortgages as the best investment right now.

See also: money

a/your smart mouth (American, informal)

if someone has a smart mouth, they speak in a way that is too clever and does not show enough respect for other people. If you aren't more careful, your smart mouth could lose you your job.

See also: mouth

smart-alec/-aleck

a smart alec/aleck - someone who is always trying to seem more clever than everyone else in a way that is annoying. He's just some smart-alec journalist. (always before noun)

a smart-arse (British, very informal, American, very informal)

someone who is always trying to seem more clever than everyone else in a way that is annoying. OK, smart-arse, do you have a better idea?

smart-arse (British, very informal, American, very informal)

a smart-arse - someone who is always trying to seem more clever than everyone else in a way that is annoying. That's all I need - some smart-ass kid telling me what to do! (always before noun)

street smarts (American)

the knowledge and experience you need in order to deal with difficult and dangerous situations in a city. The kids around here may not be much good at reading or writing, but they sure have a lot of street smarts.

See also: street