Optics vs metrics

Question

"In politics, optics trump metrics. Tuesday’s leak of a Home Office draft on post-EU migration policy indicates the hardest face of Brexit." (The Guardian.)

What does the clause "optics trump metrics" exactly mean in the cited context?

Are "optics" and "metrics" plural or singular in the construction above? If singular, why does the verb "trump" disagree with its subject?

Teechr · Accepted Answer

optics = the visual value/effects of something

metrics = the numbers/statistical figures (behind something)

trump = beat/win over

anonymousAre "optics" and "metrics" plural or singular in the construction above?

No. They are plural.

Dave_anon · Answer

Hi

Roughly speaking, 'optics' are the things you get to see when the government announces its policies: the political stance that they take when making these announcements

'Metrics' are the things that you can actually measure, objectively, and that are relevant to the policies that are being announced

The figures tell us that the UK economy, in the private and public sectors, depends very significantly on people coming to us from other countries to work. Many UK people, including those who run the businesses and services, know this for a fact

However, for whatever reason, the government feels it must be seen to be "tough on immigrants". That's more important to them than looking at the figures and making a decision that's best for the economy: the optics trump the metrics

Dave

Optics vs metrics

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