Dictionary

solution in search of a problem en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /səˈl(j)uːʃən ɪn ˈsɜːt͡ʃ əv ə ˈpɹɒbləm/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /səˈluːʃən ɪn ˈsɝt͡ʃ əv ə ˈpɹɑbləm/ (General-American)

Meanings

1. A proposal that does not solve any problem or provide any value; or one that is intended to fill a need which does not really exist.
   • The early days of the PC were a classic case of a solution in search of a problem. It was pretty obvious that a computer-on-your-desk was an exciting prospect and had to be good for something. But what? 2012, Peter Lucas, Joe Ballay, Mickey McManus, Trillions: Thriving in the Emerging Information Ecology, page 200:
   • Some teachers complained that the new online grading software was a solution in search of a problem.

Forms

Synonyms

solution looking for a problem

Translations (1)

de Lösung auf der Suche nach einem Problem (proposal to fix a problem which does not really exist)