Variations around "to think"

Thinking outside the box
Syn: thinking out of the box or thinking beyond the box.

• It is a metaphor that means to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. This phrase often refers to novel or creative thinking.

Great minds think alike

• humorous: when sb else has the same idea. - les grands esprits se rencontrent

 

Not think much of
Syn: be impressed by

• I did not think much of that artist's new exhibit, I thought it was trite.- je n'ai pas été emballé

To think about
Syn: to reflect on, ponder, consider the possibility

• He thought about his role in society for a long time before he wrote that book.- réfléchir à
• Do you want me to run naked through the streets? I won't even think about it. - imaginer

To think ahead
Syn: to predict or prepare for future

• When I pack for a vacation, I try to think ahead and bring all the items that I might need.- prévoir, anticiper
• We're thinking ahead to the next meeting

To think aloud, to think out loud 
Syn: to think about something by talking, either to yourself or with other people

• Take no notice, I was just thinking out loud.- penser tout haut

To think back
Syn: to recall, to remember

• Try to think back: do you recall noticing anything unusual about him? - se remémorer
• I've been trying to think back to that last evening.

To think better of
Syn: to decide that something is not a good idea, to reconsider, to have second thoughts about, to regard more favourably

• I almost sent my boss an angry email, but then I thought better of it.- se raviser
• Originally we were going to buy John's old car, but we thought better of it.

To think highly of
Syn: to hold in high regard

• The boss seems to think highly of you.
• He's very highly thought of within the company.

To think over
Syn: to consider, deliberate

• I'll think it over and let you know. - réfléchir à, considérer
• Let's think over his proposal before we see him again.

To think much of, to think nothing of

• I don't think much of myself, but from now on I'm going to act as if I'm my own best friend. - faire grand cas
• She thought nothing of travelling around the world alone.- faire peu de cas, ne pas être déranger par

To think on your feet
Syn: to have good ideas and make decisions quickly in a difficult situation

• You have to think on your feet in this job.

To think sth through 
Syn: to consider sth fully, to think twice/again, to consider the facts about something in an organized and thorough way

• Have you had time to think things through? - bien réfléchir à qch
• She had to think through his wedding proposal.
• I didn't think twice – I accepted the job straight away.
• I'd think twice before buying that car if I were you.

A think tank 
Syn: a problem-solving group

• The Rand Corporation is a famous think tank in the US.. - groupe de réflexion

To think through 
Syn: to invent or to imagine something, especially an excuse

• Hey Jane, I just thought up a solution to your problem!
• She'd have to think up a good reason for being late.

To think well of, to think badly of 
Syn: to hold in high regard

• Amy's parents think well of her new boyfriend.- penser beaucoup de bien de
• I hope you don't think badly of me for leaving.

To go over, to go through, to look into
Syn: to check through, to take a close look at

• We've gone over all the alternatives. - réfléchir à, passer en revue
• We've looked into different options
• If you take a close look at this bank note, you'll see there's no watermark - it's a forgery.

To mull over

• He paused to mull over his various options before making a decision.- bien réfléchir à, tourner dans sa tête

To ponder, to ponder on, to ponder over
Syn: to think carefully about something for a long time before reaching a decision

• It is important for us to ponder this matter with the utmost consideration.
• This spirituality is learned by making our hearts ponder on the mystery of Life. - méditer
• It was a difficult decision and I pondered over it for a long time before making up my mind.