Thoughts are an integral part of human life, reflecting our ideas, intentions, and emotions. Idioms provide a colorful way to describe various aspects of thinking. In this post, we explore 20 idioms that capture different facets of thought, offering concise meanings and example sentences for each.
1. Food for thought
Meaning: Something to think about
Example: Her speech gave us food for thought.
2. In two minds
Meaning: Undecided
Example: I’m in two minds about the trip.
3. Cross your mind
Meaning: Occur to you
Example: The idea never crossed my mind.
4. Rack your brain
Meaning: Think hard
Example: I had to rack my brain for the answer.
5. Put on your thinking cap
Meaning: Think carefully
Example: It’s time to put on your thinking cap.
6. Lost in thought
Meaning: Deeply thinking
Example: He was lost in thought during the meeting.
7. Mull over
Meaning: Consider carefully
Example: I’ll need time to mull over your offer.
8. Weigh your options
Meaning: Consider choices
Example: She needs to weigh her options before deciding.
9. Penny for your thoughts
Meaning: What are you thinking?
Example: You seem quiet; penny for your thoughts?
10. Think outside the box
Meaning: Be creative
Example: We need to think outside the box for this project.
11. Change your mind
Meaning: Alter your decision
Example: He changed his mind about the job.
12. Mind over matter
Meaning: Power of thought
Example: With mind over matter, she completed the marathon.
13. Overthink
Meaning: Think too much
Example: Don’t overthink the situation; just decide.
14. Think tank
Meaning: Group of experts
Example: The company hired a think tank for innovation.
15. Mind your own business
Meaning: Don’t interfere
Example: She told him to mind his own business.
16. Preoccupied
Meaning: Distracted by thoughts
Example: He seemed preoccupied during our conversation.
17. Daydream
Meaning: Fantasize
Example: She often daydreams about her future.
18. A thought-provoking idea
Meaning: Stimulating reflection
Example: His novel presented a thought-provoking idea.
19. A brainwave
Meaning: Sudden idea
Example: She had a brainwave about the new design.
20. A light-bulb moment
Meaning: Sudden realization
Example: He had a light-bulb moment and solved the problem.
