thought
An idea in your mind, or an opinion you tell someone.
An idea, opinion, or image that comes into your mind or that you express.
The act of thinking carefully.
The activity or process of thinking, especially careful, serious, or independent thinking.
Careful thinking before you decide or do something.
Careful attention or consideration given to something before acting or deciding.
The main ideas of a group, period, or subject.
The ideas and beliefs associated with a person, group, culture, subject, or period.
- Base: thought
- Plural: thought, thoughts
food for thought
1something that makes you think
Something that makes you think carefully or seriously about something.
- His speech gave us all some real food for thought.
- That article was definitely food for thought about climate change.
food for thought
1something worth thinking about
An idea or information that makes you think.
- The documentary gave us plenty of food for thought.
- Her suggestion is food for thought as we plan next year.
- The feedback from customers offers serious food for thought.
- This article gave me food for thought.
- Your idea is food for thought.
- The talk gave us food for thought.
have second thoughts
1begin to doubt a decision
To become unsure about something you already decided.
- She accepted the offer but later had second thoughts.
- Investors are having second thoughts about the deal.
- If you have second thoughts, we can postpone the trip.
- I had second thoughts about moving.
- He is having second thoughts.
- Do you have second thoughts now?
it's the thought that counts
1kind intention matters most
The kindness behind a gift or action is more important than the gift itself.
- The cake was a little burned, but it's the thought that counts.
- I couldn't buy much, but she said it was the thought that counts.
- Even a small card can mean a lot; it's the thought that counts.
- The gift is small, but it's the thought that counts.
- It's the thought that counts, not the price.
- My card was late, but it's the thought that counts.
lost in thought
1deeply absorbed in thinking
Thinking deeply and not noticing things around you.
- He was so lost in thought that he missed his stop.
- She stared out the window, lost in thought.
- I found him alone in the garden, lost in thought.
- She was lost in thought.
- He looked lost in thought.
- I was lost in thought on the bus.
on second thought
1changed mind after reconsidering
Say this when you change your mind after thinking again.
- I was going to email her, but on second thought I'll call.
- On second thought, let's take the train.
- He almost bought the jacket, then on second thought put it back.
- On second thought, I'll wait.
- On second thought, let's stay.
- I'll have tea on second thought.
spare a thought for
1think sympathetically about someone
To take a moment to think kindly about someone who is having a hard time.
- Spare a thought for the people who have to work over the holidays.
- As you enjoy the sunshine, spare a thought for those stuck in the office.
- We should spare a thought for families affected by the flood.
spare a thought for
1think sympathetically about someone
To remember and feel sympathy for someone.
- Spare a thought for the nurses working through the holiday.
- As you enjoy the heat, spare a thought for people without air conditioning.
- The article asks readers to spare a thought for families affected by the flood.
- Spare a thought for the workers.
- Please spare a thought for them.
- We should spare a thought for refugees.
train of thought
1Connected sequence of ideas in mind
The line of ideas you are thinking about.
- I lost my train of thought when he interrupted me.
- She paused to gather her train of thought before continuing.
train of thought
1connected series of ideas
The line of ideas you are following in your mind.
- I lost my train of thought when the phone rang.
- His speech was hard to follow because his train of thought kept shifting.
- Let me finish this train of thought before we change topics.
- I lost my train of thought.
- Please don't break my train of thought.
- Her train of thought was clear.
without a second thought
1without hesitation or consideration
Without thinking carefully first; very quickly.
- She ran to help without a second thought.
- He shared his password without a second thought, which was risky.
- Many people throw old phones away without a second thought.
- I said yes without a second thought.
- She helped without a second thought.
- He left without a second thought.