conventional wisdom

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noun

something that is generally believed; prudence.

Origin of conventional wisdom

probably earlier than 1965–70

Words nearby conventional wisdom

convention center, conventional, conventional sign, conventional thoracoplasty, conventional weapon, conventional wisdom, conventionalism, conventionality, conventionalize, conventioneer, conventioner

Words related to conventional wisdom

commonplace, platitude, truism

Idioms and Phrases with conventional wisdom

conventional wisdom

A widely held belief on which most people act. For example, According to conventional wisdom, an incumbent nearly always wins more votes than a new candidate. This term was invented by John Kenneth Galbraith, who used it in The Affluent Society (1958) to describe economic ideas that are familiar, predictable, and therefore accepted by the general public. Today it is used in any context where public opinion has considerable influence on the course of events.