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conventional wisdom

noun

something that is generally believed; prudence.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of conventional wisdom¹

Probably earlier than 1965–70

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Idioms and Phrases

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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Goldin, who was just awarded the Nobel Prize for economics, has knocked down conventional wisdom by studying women’s roles in the labor market over 200 years.

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That belief - in the UK's magnetic pull for migrants – remains the conventional wisdom among both French officials and many of those risking their lives to cross the Channel.

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Let me start by saying what is the conventional wisdom, which is to say that the trans side of the case is likely to lose.

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I know the price of everything continues to rise, and conventional wisdom is that it’s all about the economy.

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"Contrary to some conventional wisdom, I didn't want to come into politics because I care passionately about fiscal rules."

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conventional weapon convention center

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