Thinking Idioms

Thinking Idioms

Idioms have a way of giving language character and color, and thinking idioms are no exception. They help us express complex mental processes in a way that’s vivid, relatable, and often humorous.

List of Thinking Idioms

Thinking Idioms with meaning and examples

Brainstorm

• Meaning: To come up with ideas or solutions, often in a group setting.
• Example: We need to brainstorm some ideas for the new project.

Rack Your Brain

• Meaning: To think very hard, usually to remember something or solve a problem.
• Example: I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out where I left my phone.

Cross Your Mind

• Meaning: To think of something briefly or suddenly.
• Example: It never crossed my mind that we’d be late for the meeting.

Pick Someone’s Brain

• Meaning: To ask someone for their ideas, advice, or information.
• Example: I’m going to pick her brain about the marketing strategies.

In the Back of Your Mind

• Meaning: Something you are aware of but do not actively focus on.
• Example: I’ve always had the idea of starting a business in the back of my mind.

Give It Some Thought

• Meaning: To think about something carefully before making a decision.
• Example: I’ll give it some thought and let you know what I decide.

Food for Thought

• Meaning: Something that makes you think deeply or consider new ideas.
• Example: The documentary gave me a lot of food for thought about climate change.

Have Something on the Brain

• Meaning: To think about something constantly or obsessively.
• Example: He’s got the new video game on the brain lately.

Sleep on It

• Meaning: To think about something overnight before making a decision.
• Example: I’m not sure about accepting the job offer; I’ll sleep on it first.

Think Outside the Box

• Meaning: To think in an unconventional or creative way.
• Example: We need to think outside the box if we want to come up with a unique marketing campaign.

Put on Your Thinking Cap

• Meaning: To think seriously and carefully about something.
• Example: It’s time to put on your thinking cap and figure out how to solve this problem.

Think Twice

• Meaning: To reconsider something before making a decision.
• Example: You should think twice before making a decision this big.

Lost in Thought

• Meaning: To be deeply engrossed in thinking and unaware of the surroundings.
• Example: She was lost in thought when I came in.

Mind Over Matter

• Meaning: The ability to control or overcome physical obstacles with the power of the mind.
• Example: He pushed through the pain, showing mind over matter.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

• Meaning: A way of asking someone what they are thinking.
• Example: You’ve been quiet. A penny for your thoughts?

Get Your Thinking Cap On

• Meaning: To start thinking seriously or creatively about something.
• Example: We have a problem to solve, so get your thinking cap on.

Brainchild

• Meaning: An idea or invention that comes from someone’s imagination or creativity.
• Example: The new app is the brainchild of a small development team.

Think the World of Someone

• Meaning: To admire someone greatly.
• Example: I think the world of my grandmother; she’s been so supportive.

A Think Tank

• Meaning: A group of experts who come together to discuss and solve complex problems.
• Example: The company has hired a think tank to come up with new strategies.

Mind-Boggling

• Meaning: Something that is so complicated or confusing that it is hard to understand.
• Example: The complexity of the math problem is mind-boggling.

Brainstorming

• Meaning: A process of discussing and generating ideas, often in a group.
• Example: We’re having a brainstorming session tomorrow to come up with new product ideas.

Pick Someone’s Brain

• Meaning: To ask someone for advice or information.
• Example: I’m going to pick Sarah’s brain about the new software.

Mind-Boggling

• Meaning: Something that is hard to understand due to its complexity.
• Example: The new technology is mind-boggling, and I’m still trying to grasp it.

Go to Your Head

• Meaning: To make you feel overly important or arrogant.
• Example: Winning that award really went to his head. He’s acting so arrogant now.

Penny for Your Thoughts

• Meaning: A way of asking someone what they are thinking, often when they seem lost in thought.
• Example: You look deep in thought; a penny for your thoughts?

Anyone Would Think

• Meaning: A phrase used to imply that someone’s behavior or actions suggest something that isn’t necessarily true.
• Example: Anyone would think she’s angry, the way she’s been acting lately.

Have a Sharp Mind

• Meaning: To be quick-witted, intelligent, or perceptive.
• Example: He has a sharp mind and always comes up with the best ideas.

Mind Your Head

• Meaning: To be careful, often used when there is a danger of hitting your head.
• Example: Mind your head when you walk through that door; it’s low.

Ring a Bell

• Meaning: To sound familiar or trigger a memory.
• Example: That name doesn’t ring a bell. I’ve never met them before.

Think on Your Feet

• Meaning: To respond quickly and effectively without preparation.
• Example: She had to think on her feet when the client asked unexpected questions.

Wishful Thinking

• Meaning: Thinking that something is possible, even though it is unlikely or unrealistic.
• Example: It’s just wishful thinking that we’ll get a holiday bonus this year.

(Have a) Bee in One’s Bonnet

• Meaning: To be obsessed with an idea or issue, often to the point of annoyance.
• Example: She has a bee in her bonnet about the upcoming company merger.

(Live/Be in) Cloud Cuckoo Land

• Meaning: To be in a state of unrealistic fantasy or naivety.
• Example: He’s living in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks he can finish this project by tomorrow.

A Light Bulb Moment

• Meaning: A moment of sudden realization or inspiration.
• Example: It was a light bulb moment when I figured out how to fix the issue with the code.

Bear in Mind

• Meaning: To keep something in consideration or remember something.
• Example: Bear in mind that the meeting starts at 10 a.m., not 9.

By No Stretch of the Imagination

• Meaning: Not in any way; far from it.
• Example: By no stretch of the imagination can he be considered a good leader.

Great Minds Think Alike

• Meaning: Two people think similarly, often at the same time.
• Example: We both suggested the same restaurant. Great minds think alike!

Have Your Wits About You

• Meaning: To be alert and able to think clearly, especially in difficult situations.
• Example: You need to have your wits about you when dealing with a difficult client.

In the Dark (About)

• Meaning: To be unaware or uninformed about something.
• Example: I was completely in the dark about their plans to move to another city.

Peace of Mind

• Meaning: A state of mental calmness and tranquility.
• Example: Getting the car checked regularly gives me peace of mind.

Perish the Thought

• Meaning: To reject or dismiss a thought or idea, often because it’s unpleasant.
• Example: Perish the thought! I would never leave my friends behind.

Put Two and Two Together

• Meaning: To deduce or figure something out from the information available.
• Example: I didn’t believe the rumor until I put two and two together and realized it was true.

Quick or Slow on the Uptake

• Meaning: To be quick or slow to understand something.
• Example: She’s quick on the uptake, and understood the new system in no time.

Slip Your Mind

• Meaning: To forget something temporarily.
• Example: I’m sorry, I completely slipped my mind to send that email.

Thinking idioms bring a layer of depth to the way we express our cognitive processes. They are used to communicate everything from creativity and decision-making to deep reflection and problem-solving.

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