too clever by half
phrase
chiefly British, informal
: clever in a way that is annoying or that causes problems
an arrogant politician who is too clever by half
a complex computer program that is too clever by half
Cite this Entry
“Too clever by half.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/too%20clever%20by%20half. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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