1. BLUE-SKY THINKING
Meaning:
The kind of thinking that is not limited to common norms or beliefs.
Examples:
- Blue-sky thinking leads people to some great ideas!
- We’re looking for an employer with blue-sky thinking abilities and fresh perspectives.
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2. BEE IN ONE’S BONNET
Meaning:
An idea that occupies someone’s mind continuously, an obsession.
Examples:
- I’ve got a bee in my bonnet about writing a book.
- My dad’s got a bee in his bonnet about burglars breaking into our house. He always locks all the windows and doors.
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3. CLOUD CUCKOO LAND
Meaning:
An unrealistic place where everything is perfect, a utopia.
Examples:
- You’re behaving as if you were living in a cloud cuckoo land!
- Come on, be realistic, this isn’t a cloud cuckoo land!
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4. HAREBRAINED IDEA
Meaning:
An idea that is considered silly and impractical.
Examples:
- Danny has given us nothing but harebrained ideas.
- The student’s ideas were considered harebrained so he finally gave up and stayed silent until the end of the lecture.
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5. LIGHT-BULB MOMENT
Meaning:
The moment you come up with an idea or get an inspiration.
Examples:
- My sister had a light-bulb moment when she realized what she wants to do in life.
- I looked at him and I knew he’s just had a light-bulb moment. After a few seconds he told me what it was.
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6. PENNY FOR THE THOUGHTS
Meaning:
This phrase is used when you’re wondering what someone is thinking about.
Examples:
- You look sad. What’s wrong? Penny for the thoughts.
- Wow, you look amused, penny for the thoughts!
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7. TO LOSE THE TRAIN OF THOUGHT
Meaning:
To forget what you have been talking about because of some interruption or lack of concentration.
Examples:
- What was I saying? I’m sorry, I lost the train of thought.
- The teacher suddenly lost the train of thought and we had to remind her what she’s been talking about.
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8. TO TOY WITH THE IDEA
Meaning:
To think about something, consider it a possibility.
Examples:
- I was toying with the idea of moving to France. What do you think?
- Have you ever toyed with the idea to become a teacher?
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9. TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Meaning:
To think of some ideas that are not so obvious, to find innovations.
Examples:
- Children have this fantastic ability to think outside the box!
- People won’t think of anything innovative until they start to think outside the box.
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10. TO THINK ON ONE’S FEET
Meaning:
To be able to react quickly or make instant decisions.
Examples:
- Good speakers have the ability to think on their feet.
- Thinking on your feet is an important skill if you want to become a lawyer.
