thinking

blue-sky thinking

Thinking that is not limited to commonly accepted norms or beliefs. Everyone said Einstein was a fool when he was growing up, but his blue-sky thinking led to some of the greatest scientific advances of his time.

See also: thinking

put on (one's) thinking cap

To begin thinking or considering very carefully and seriously (about something). If we all put on our thinking caps, I'm sure we can come up with a way to earn enough money to go to the baseball game this weekend. A: "Well, boss, what do you think we should do?" B: "Just let me put on my thinking cap for a minute."

See also: cap, on, put, thinking

think aloud

To verbalize one's thoughts. A: "And I guess I should also pick up some plywood while we're out…" B: "Pardon me?" A: "Sorry, I'm just thinking aloud!"

think (one's) shit doesn't stink

vulgar slang To assume an air of arrogance, condescension, or superiority over others; to think that one is better or more refined than other people. Look at her, hobnobbing with the rich upper crust and refusing to come talk to us. Just when did she start thinking her shit doesn't stink?

think (one's) shit don't stink

get (one's) thinking cap on

To begin thinking or considering very carefully and seriously (about something), often to solve a problem. OK, fellas, if we all get our thinking caps on, I'm sure we can come up with a way to earn enough money to go to the baseball game this weekend. A: "Well, boss, what do you think we should do?" B: "Just let me get my thinking cap on for a minute."

have (one's) thinking cap on

To be using, or be ready to use, the utmost of one's intellectual abilities; to be able or ready to think very carefully and seriously (about something), often to solve a problem. I'm really excited for the pub quiz tonight! Does everyone have their thinking caps on? OK fellas, if we all have our thinking caps on, I'm sure we can come up with a way to earn enough money to go to the baseball game this weekend.

(I'm) (just) thinking out loud.

Fig. I'm saying things that might better remain as private thoughts. (A way of characterizing or introducing one's opinions or thoughts. Also past tense.) Sue: What are you saying, anyway? Sounds like you're scolding someone. Bob: Oh, sorry. I was just thinking out loud. Bob: Now, this goes over here. Bill: You want me to move that? Bob: Oh, no. Just thinking out loud.

put one's thinking cap on

Fig. to start thinking in a serious manner. (Usually used with children.) It's time to put our thinking caps on, children. All right now, let's put on our thinking caps and do some arithmetic.

See also: cap, on, put, thinking

to someone's way of thinking

in someone's opinion. This isn't satisfactory to my way of thinking. To my way of thinking, this is the perfect kind of vacation.

wishful thinking

believing that something is true or that something will happen just because one wishes that it were true or would happen. Hoping for a car as a birthday present is just wishful thinking. Your parents can't afford it. Mary thinks that she is going to get a big raise, but that's wishful thinking. Her boss is so tight with money.

See also: thinking

can't think straight

also not be thinking straight

if you can't think straight, you are not thinking calmly and clearly about something I was so tired I wasn't thinking straight any more. There are so many people talking, I just can't think straight.

put your thinking cap on

to start to think seriously about how to solve a problem Let me put my thinking cap on and see if I can come up with an answer.

See also: cap, on, put, thinking

the thinking man's/woman's crumpet

(British humorous)

a man or woman who is popular with the opposite sex because they are both intelligent and sexually attractive Paxman has apparently grown weary of being labelled the thinking woman's crumpet.

See can't think straight

wishful thinking

thinking or talking about something that you would very much like to happen although you know it probably will not happen 'Do you think you might be in line for promotion, then? 'No, it's just wishful thinking.'

See also: thinking

put on one's thinking cap

Think or reflect seriously, as in A new slogan? I'll have to put on my thinking cap for that. This term originated in the late 1800s and replaced considering cap, which dates from the early 1600s.

See also: cap, on, put, thinking

think aloud

Speak one's thoughts audibly, as in We need flour, sugar, butter-I'm just thinking aloud. [Early 1700s]

wishful thinking

Interpreting matters as one would like them to be, as opposed to what they really are. For example, Matthew wanted to be a basketball player, but with his height that was wishful thinking. This term comes from Freudian psychology of the mid-1920s and soon began to be used more loosely.

See also: thinking

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Birgitte	-	Danish, Norwegian
Absalom	['æbsələm]
Dean	[di:n]
Henry	HEN-ree	English
Bryony	BRIE-ə-nee	English (Rare)
Freya	FRAY-ah (Norse Mythology), FRAY-ə (English)	Norse Mythology, English (British, Modern)