clever-clever

comparative more clever-clever · superlative most clever-clever

1. derogatoryShowily or ostentatiously clever.

   The difference between clever-clever talk and the appearance of a real awareness is desperately fine, and I do not guarantee to be right in my diagnosis every time.

   1994, Christmas Humphreys, Zen Comes West, Routledge, page 107

   2 more examples

   You used to know where you stood with musicals. There were the old traditionals with scores by Rodgers and Hammerstein; the clever-clever shows with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; and the bombastic 'supermusicals', with sub-operatic numbers.

   2007 July 15, Sarah Hughes, The Observer

   England have tried a couple of clever-clever short corners tonight, and both of them have ended in total farce. England have many strengths, but clever-clever is not an option in their back pocket.

   2013 November 14, Scott Murray, The Guardian