thought1 thought2 noun
thoughtthought1 /θɔːt $ θɒːt/ 
Longman Language Activatornot caring about something
: don't think (that) · At first I didn't think that Jim was going to reply.· I don't think many people will come to the meeting, do you?don't think so · "Do we have any coffee left?'' "I don't think so -- I'll have a look.''· "Is Mr Brown there?'' "No, I don't think so, I saw him go out earlier.''
to think that something will probably not happen or is probably not true: doubt if/whether: · We'd better go to the party, but I doubt if it'll be very exciting.· I doubt whether I'll be able to find a decent car for the price I can afford. doubt (that): · Some people doubted that the attacks on the American ships had actually taken place.very much doubt/doubt very much: · I very much doubt whether we'll get someone for the job by September.seriously doubt: · At the time we seriously doubted that the doctor had got the diagnosis right.doubt it: · It was possible that Maggie had been delayed, but he doubted it.
if you are doubtful about something, you do not believe that it will happen or should be done: · Mick felt optimistic about going to work in Hong Kong, but Sue was doubtful.· My brother looked doubtful when I asked him if he'd mind looking after the baby.be doubtful about: · A lot of us felt doubtful about the project at the beginning.be doubtful (that): · The doctor said she was doubtful that antibiotics would work.it is doubtful whether/that/if: · It is doubtful that life could survive under such extreme conditions as these.
if you are dubious about something, you do not think it is a good idea or that it is true: · "Do you think they'll let us in?'' Gabby looked dubious.be dubious about: · Marian is still dubious about whether any of the government's "solutions" will work.
spoken say this when you think something is very unlikely to happen or is very unlikely to be true: · I'd be surprised if they get here in time for the show.· I'd be very surprised if Ronnie got the job -- he just doesn't have enough experience.
spoken say this when you think that something is unlikely to happen or be true, especially when you are not completely sure that you are right: I wouldn't have thought (that): · I wouldn't have thought that there would be much traffic on a Sunday morning.I wouldn't have thought so: · "Will John and Carmen be coming tonight?" "I wouldn't have thought so. They're very busy at the moment."
spoken use this in order to say politely that you think what someone has said is unlikely: · "I think Kate and Eddie will end up getting married." "Really? I'm not sure about that."
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
Human beings are the only creatures capable of abstract thought (=thinking about ideas). They tried to banish the memory from their minds. Careful consideration has been given to all applications. Churchill’s clarity of vision impressed all who knew him. With this comforting thought, Harry fell asleep. Dieting always seems to conjure up images of endless salads. He dreaded the prospect of being all alone in that house. Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. He had thought long and hard before getting involved with the project. She thought longingly of returning to Paris. Harry just stood there, lost in thought. He paused for a moment as if to marshal his thoughts. Take no thought for the morrow (=do not worry about the future). Vitamin C is popularly believed to prevent colds. I don’t relish the thought of you walking home alone. He shuddered at the thought of the conflict ahead. It was a sobering thought. Plato draws all the strands of the argument together. Many investors have turned their attention to opportunities abroad. Phil turned his gaze towards the older man. I still wince at the thought of that terrible evening.
Human beings are the only creatures capable of abstract thought (=thinking about ideas). They tried to banish the memory from their minds. Careful consideration has been given to all applications. Churchill’s clarity of vision impressed all who knew him. With this comforting thought, Harry fell asleep. Dieting always seems to conjure up images of endless salads. (=used to tell someone you have thought of the thing they are suggesting, or have never thought of it)
· Was he lying? I tried to dismiss the thought.
· A gentle knock on the door disturbed his thoughts.
He dreaded the prospect of being all alone in that house. Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. He had thought long and hard before getting involved with the project. She thought longingly of returning to Paris. Harry just stood there, lost in thought. He paused for a moment as if to marshal his thoughts. Take no thought for the morrow (=do not worry about the future).· 'Of course,' she replied, without pausing for thought.
Vitamin C is popularly believed to prevent colds.· Think positive thoughts.
· Babies were thought to be incapable of rational thought.
I don’t relish the thought of you walking home alone. He shuddered at the thought of the conflict ahead. It was a sobering thought. Plato draws all the strands of the argument together. Many investors have turned their attention to opportunities abroad. Phil turned his gaze towards the older man. (=just an idea or suggestion)· The very idea of acting on stage scares the pants off me.
I still wince at the thought of that terrible evening.PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► collect yourself/collect your thoughts► nothing could be/is further from somebody’s mind/thoughts► gather yourself/your strength/your thoughts► give something thought/attention/consideration etc► not give something a second thought/another thought► your heart/thoughts go out to somebody► hold that thought► a penny for your thoughts/a penny for them► perish the thought!► not give something a second thought/without a second thought
the past tense and past participle of think1- He held out his hand to his junior master and composed his face into a solemn expression of trust.
- I compose my face into a smile.
- I tried to compose my features into a combination of nonchalance and justification.
- They had composed their faces, but their eyes sparkled and their mouths yearned to smile.
- When asked a question do not rush at your answer but give yourself a second or two to compose your thoughts.
- Anthea and the professor had been deep in conversation with an eager group of ladies from Leicester, leaving Meryl momentarily alone.
- Clarence and the mayor were still deep in conversation.
- He was deep in conversation with the daughter of the house, a little girl of about twelve.
- The boy-him, he had to remind himself-looked deep in thought.
- The Count was deep in conversation with the mayor, who was staring down at his feet.
- He had entertained thoughts of marrying her and raising a family, but he entered the Society instead.
- Most significantly on my sense of a distant but still valid national identity-until then I had entertained hopes of return.
- The study on poverty certainly offers food for thought to America's leaders.
- And there is plenty of food for thought.
- He never got past the words food for thought.
- Ian Wright also had food for thought as he made a hasty exit from Arsenal's demoralised dressing room.
- It's food for thought, though.
- Jeffcoate W.. Obesity is a disease: food for thought.
- Several interesting issues present some food for thought, however.
- That building provides us with food for thought.
- The lack of parcels and buses gave us all some food for thought of late.
- And such habits of mind survive the passage of time.
- But a habit of mind, something much more important, will stay with young people.
- Has this become a habit of mind?
- If views are similar it's because habits of thought are the same.
- The care of the interior demands an obsessive habit of mind.
- These habits of thought and action enable a business or work group to take full credit for the triumphs it achieves.
- This was his habit of mind.
- What habits of thought could matter more?
- While she waited, she tried to occupy her mind with pleasant thoughts of the vacation.
- High real estate prices have given potential buyers pause.
- But it gave you some pause to think of what else might be crawling around there.
- Even seemingly innocuous turnstile-exits with interlocking horizontal bars give my sister pause, however.
- It gave him pause, but soon enough he had his own retort.-Yeah, right.
- Knowing what Edmund has done to his real father might have given Cornwall pause before proclaiming himself the next one.
- The breadth of this holding gives one pause.
- Their sparring for position of least-favoured son gave me pause for thought.
- Yet the offer seems to have given Burton no pause.
- Don't expect your spouse to be able to read your mind.
- According to one school of thought, the disease is caused by a genetic defect.
- There are many schools of thought on how yoga should be taught.
- There are two schools of thought. One wants to control inflation, while the other is more interested in boosting employment.
- Basically, there were two schools of thought.
- Each school of thought has enjoyed constant internal debate about assumptions and methods.
- Indeed, one school of thought believed that the female brain was biologically different from that of the male.
- Inevitably this has meant some over-simplifying, stereotyping and exaggeration in the claims and counter-claims of the different schools of thought.
- There are two schools of thought concerning the application of syntactic knowledge.
- There are various schools of thought on how captions or short photo-stories should be affixed to photographs.
- Two schools of thought emerged during the summer of 1936.
- Couples contemplating divorce often have second thoughts when they realize how it will affect their children.
- It was obvious that the company was having second thoughts about the whole project.
- But now, with the raft travelling more slowly than I had planned, I began to have second thoughts.
- But then various men on the race committee and some male members of the National Aeronautic Association began to have second thoughts.
- I hope Darlington Transport have second thoughts on the matter.
- Keep him laughing and he might have second thoughts about eating you!
- Perhaps Mr Harrison would have second thoughts if he walked in our neck of the woods.
- Somewhere between second helpings I began to have second thoughts.
- Such incidents might have caused Sir Bernard to have second thoughts about the system; but he defends it with passion.
- Then, before she could have second thoughts, she picked up the telephone and dialled his number.
- But perhaps, on second thoughts, it wasn't so strange: Luke was special, unique.
- He was decisive and never wasted time on second thoughts.
- In fact, on second thoughts, would it not be far more sensible to invite Emilia to come to Cambridge?
- No, on second thoughts, I wasn't sulking.
- Then, on second thoughts, she opened the lid just the tiniest fraction so that the creature could breathe.
- William Oh-right-on second thoughts maybe it wasn't that bad.
- You eventually work out that if ... on second thoughts, you can solve it yourself!
- A more serious consideration to my mind is the continued quotation of Ingard shares on the Stock Exchange.
- Book publishing is another important aspect of the print media to which private organisations and the government should pay serious attention.
- But little serious thought has been given to this problem.
- Dangerous goods and perishable goods are two examples of operational specializations worth serious consideration.
- It does not mean that money has to rule, but it is a necessary and serious consideration.
- It was high time she got down to serious thought about her doctorate.
- The concept of interleague play in major league baseball is certainly intriguing, worthy of serious consideration.
- The fact is that I had already begun to give serious consideration to the possibility of doing away with Dennis Parsons.
- We should spare a thought for those less fortunate.
- But spare a thought for Helen Williams.
- But whereas Errol struck it lucky, spare a thought for Instonian Neil Cooke.
- Let us take a moment this Advent to spare a thought for what the poorest of our world are waiting for.
- While all these contrivances give us the pleasure of moving water, we must spare a thought for the plants beneath.
- Whilst knitting your designs you might spare a thought for Giant Pandas now very much an endangered species.
- But new-wave sanitation experts say sewerage offers little more than convenience when compared to well thought-out latrines.
- Each section is well thought-out and presented with a good number of diagrams and chromatograms.
- It is here that the value of well thought-out objectives can be seen.
- The system is a well thought-out one and seems to work well.
- Problem Too many phone calls breaking my train of thought.
- Some one called out, breaking his train of thought.
- The first task attempted will be to trace the train of thought in this unit.
- The kettle began to whistle, breaking into her train of thought.
- These are discussed with a clarity which enables the reader to fully identify with the author's train of thought.
- Tracing the train of thought in 6: 12-20 is the task at hand.
- Tunes pulled at the hems of her train of thought.
- However; they had done little to develop emotional ideas and emotional thinking, to help Kyle put his feelings into words.
thought1 thought2 noun
thoughtthought2 ●●● S1 W1 noun WORD ORIGINthought2
Origin:
Old English thohtEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "That's not a very good time of year to travel." "Perhaps not. It was just a thought."
- ancient Greek thought
- I'd like you to begin by writing down your thoughts about the play.
- I've just had a thought - it might be quicker to go by bus.
- If you have any thoughts on the matter, let me know.
- Michael never gave any thought to others.
- News of the crash dominated his thoughts.
- That's an interesting thought. Let's discuss it at the meeting.
- Writing a good essay requires a lot of thought and effort.
- And the thought was a terror in her mind.
- It cancels out thought, and in consequence, any possibility of examining the root selfishness.
- Let your thoughts glow from within.
- Others are chipping in thoughts about the overall themes he should hit.
- Their security of tenure is deemed essential for fruitful and unremitting thought.
THESAURUS
something that you think of, especially something that you could do or suggest: · I think that’s an excellent idea.· Let me know if you have any good ideas.
something that comes into your mind: · The thought had entered my mind that he might be lying.· It was a worrying thought.· She was lost in her thoughts.
the idea that you have in your mind about what someone or something is like: · What was your impression of him?
a good and original idea, which makes you think of doing or creating something: · Where did you get your inspiration from for the book?· He suddenly had a flash of inspiration.· The design for the house was entirely the inspiration of the architect.
British English, brainstorm American English a sudden new and clever idea, especially one that solves a problem: · I thought I’d have to sell the house, but then I had a brainwave.
an idea of how something is, or how something should be done: · Concepts of beauty are different in different cultures.· the traditional concept of marriage
an idea about life or society, especially one that is a little silly or old-fashioned: · There is no evidence to support the notion that poverty is caused by laziness.
Longman Language Activatorto disturb someone so that they cannot continue what they are doing to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you want to ask a question or tell them something: · Sorry to disturb you, but could I ask a quick question?· Try not to disturb your dad - he's working.· Before closing the door to his office, he told his secretary that he was not to be disturbed.
to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you want to ask them a question or tell them something: · Don't interrupt - I haven't finished yet.· I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, but may I speak with Michael for a moment?· While I was giving my report, some guy in the back kept interrupting me every two minutes.
to disturb someone who is doing something, especially in a way that is annoying: · Will you stop bothering me? I'm trying to watch a program.· Sorry to bother you, but could you help me one more time with the copier?· Don't bother Ellen while she's reading.
to stop someone who is trying to work, study, or read, by making them look at or listen to something else: · Don't distract your father while he's driving.· The couple behind us kept distracting everyone by talking during the movie.· I was distracted by the sound of a car alarm in the street.
British to make it difficult for someone to do something, by preventing them from paying attention and thinking clearly about what they are doing: · Seles couldn't concentrate on the game - the photographers were putting her off.
to disturb someone so that they forget what they were thinking about: · The phone rang, breaking my train of thought.· I sat very still, not wanting to break her train of thought.
what you say to tell someone that you forgive them spoken say this when someone has said that they are sorry for something they did: · "Sorry I didn't phone you last week." "That's OK - I know how busy you've been."· "I must apologize for keeping you waiting so long." "That's all right."
spoken informal say this to tell someone that you do not blame them for something, and that they should not worry about it any more: · "I feel so bad about upsetting your plans.'' "Oh, forget it. it really doesn't matter.''
spoken say this when someone says they are sorry that they made a mistake or forgot something, and you want to tell them not to worry: · "Please forgive me for losing your book." "Oh, never mind. I have another copy."
spoken say this when someone says they are sorry, and you want to tell them politely that there is no need to be sorry: · "I'm sorry we had to cancel the party.'' "Oh, please don't give it another thought. It wasn't your fault that you were ill!''
spoken informal say this when you want to tell someone that you are not angry with them, even though they have upset you or you have quarrelled with them: · No hard feelings, Stu. You had every right to be angry with me.
something that you think of something that you think of, such as a plan or suggestion: have an idea: · "I have an idea," she said. "Why don't you come with us?"· We're trying to think of a name for the book. Does anyone have any ideas?idea for: · Here are some new ideas for quick meals that taste great.· an idea for a new TV game showit was somebody's idea (=they thought of it): · I never wanted to go to Spain. It was Sue's idea.idea to do something: · Who's idea was it to ask him to the party?the idea of (doing) something: · The idea of an underground garage in the park has provoked a lot of anger.idea that: · Nobody seemed very keen on the idea that we should all dress up for the party.
an idea - use this especially when you have not yet considered it carefully: · That's an interesting thought. Let's discuss it at the meeting.have a thought: · I've just had a thought - it might be quicker to go by bus.thoughts on something: · If you have any thoughts on the matter, let me know.somebody's thoughts about something: · I'd like you to begin by writing down your thoughts about the play.it was (just/only) a thought spoken (=say this when someone seems to disagree with your idea): · "That's not a very good time of year to travel." "Perhaps not. It was just a thought."
what a particular group think about something an opinion shared by a group of people, especially a particular profession or group of people who can influence what is decided: government/professional/medical etc opinion: · Medical opinion is divided as to the effectiveness of the new drug.world opinion: · Their refusal to obey UN regulations had a major effect on world opinion.
an opinion that a group has at a particular time, especially about the best way of doing something: · His statements closely reflect government thinking.· There has been a change in thinking in terms of the influence of diet on the disease.thinking on: · The report goes against current thinking on what is best for working parents.
an opinion shared by a group of people who have a very different way of looking at a problem or subject from that of another group of people: · There are two schools of thought. One wants to control inflation, while the other is more interested in boosting employment.· According to one school of thought, the disease is caused by a genetic defect.
an opinion shared by a large group of people, that is considered to be important or that should be listened to: · A significant body of opinion is strongly opposed to the new proposals.· There is a growing body of opinion that says we should put the environment first.
what you think about something · Please phone in with your comments and opinions.· Opinions vary widely on this matter.opinion of · The rating a film gets reflects the opinions of our reviewers.my/your/her etc opinion · Do you really want my opinion?· He acknowledged that he had no evidence to support his opinion.opinion on/about · They have very different opinions about religion.· Many board members said they had no opinion on Goldman's proposal.in my/our etc opinion · In my opinion, most lawyers are overpaid.· This is, in the opinion of the critics, their best record for years.have a high/low opinion of something/somebody (=think somethingor someone is good or bad) · Politicians generally have a low opinion of the press.give/express an opinion · About 100 people showed up to express their opinions about the project.ask somebody's opinion · In 10 years of teaching, I have never been asked my opinion on any matter of policy.somebody is entitled to their opinion (=say this when you disagree with someone else's opinion) · He's entitled to his opinion, of course, but it does not give him the right to be offensive.be of the opinion that (=have a particular opinion) formal · The coroner was of the opinion that the man had been dead for only 24 hours.
especially spoken your opinion about something, especially whether you think it is good or bad: · What do you think of her new CD?· Tell me what you think about the design.· No one ever really stops and asks kids what they think about things.· Well, I know what I think, but you might not agree.
your opinion about something, especially about a serious or important subject: · It is natural for children to have different views from their parents.view that: · I don't agree with the view that longer prison sentences stop people from committing crime.in my/his/John's etc view: · In Freud's view, people's dreams often reveal their unconscious fears.view about/on: · Malthus will always be known mainly for his views on population.· The survey reflected a very conservative view about what the ideal family structure should be.express a view: · Stein was expressing the view of many fellow war veterans.take a view that: · Most nineteenth century scientists took the view that the universe had no purpose or meaning.
what you think and feel about something or someone, especially when this is shown in the way you behave towards them: · I don't understand your attitude. Why don't you like her?· The book explains some of the attitudes and values of the Victorians.attitude to/towards: · Since the 1960s, there has been a big change in people's attitudes to sex before marriage.take the attitude that: · Officials took the attitude that the problem was not their responsibility.
your opinion about something, especially about what should be done about it, after you have thought about it carefully: thoughts about/on: · Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions about how we should spend the money?· I was anxious to hear his thoughts on the scenes I had written.have thoughts: · Please get back to me with any thoughts you might have on this.
what you think about something, especially when you have very strong or angry feelings about it: · He makes decisions without ever taking my feelings into account.feelings about: · Kids' feelings about everything from reading to exercise are influenced by their parents.strong feelings: · She has very strong feelings about this election.
what you think about something, especially about the best way to deal with something: · I'm not sure his ideas will be very popular with the voters.ideas about/on: · His ideas about marriage and divorce were very old-fashioned.· I'd like your ideas on how we can improve our working relationship.
especially written an opinion, especially one that is based on emotion: · The speeches were full of nationalist sentiments.· Most people were outraged by the bombing, and their letters of sympathy reflected this sentiment.public/popular sentiment (=what most people think): · Several meetings were held to determine what public sentiment was on the issue.
to stop talking about the subject you are supposed to be talking about also go off the subject British · I think we're getting off the subject. Could we get back to the main point, please?· Well, going off the subject a minute, what about that Uri Geller chap?
formal to move away from the main subject that you have been talking or writing about, especially for a short time during a speech or story: · Before we do that, I'd like to digress for a minute and say a word or two about the new books.
if you are talking about something and are sidetracked or get sidetracked , you allow yourself to start talking or thinking about something else, especially something less important: · I was going to ask him, but he got sidetracked by this guy and I never got a chance.· Don't be sidetracked by the way the interviewer asks the questions - just keep making the relevant points.
if you stray from the subject you are talking about, you start talking about other things instead, for example, because you cannot keep your attention on the main subject: · Promise yourself that you'll try not to stray from the issue at hand.· Well, we've strayed quite a way from space exploration.
to talk, especially for a long time, moving from one subject to another without any clear order, so that your listener becomes bored or confused: · In his diary, the Unabomber rambled at length about the evils of technology.ramble on (=ramble continuously and in an annoying way): · I sat down and let him ramble on for a few minutes.
also lose the thread to become confused about or forget the connection between the things you are saying, especially so that you have to stop talking and think about what you want to say next: · The audience's reaction surprised him, and he lost his train of thought for a moment.· I'm sorry, I seem to have lost my thread.lose the thread of something: · Arthur paused, feeling he was beginning to lose the thread of his argument.
spoken say this when you want to continue what you were saying before you were interrupted, but you cannot remember what you were saying: · Thanks for that, Gillian. Now, where was I?· So, where was I? Oh yes, the accession of Henry the Fifth.
when someone is thinking about something someone who is thoughtful has a serious expression on their face and does not say anything, because they are thinking deeply about something: · Suddenly he became more thoughtful, and his eyes filmed over with sadness.· My mother sat and watched me eating my food with a thoughtful expression on her face -- I could tell she had something to say.
thinking deeply about something and seeming a little sad - use this especially in literary contexts: · He kept looking over at her sad, pensive face.· As he ended his trip, the usually upbeat Mr. Liebenow was in a pensive mood.
to be thinking so deeply about something that you do not notice what is happening around you: · She'd been so deep in thought, she hadn't heard the man open the dining room door.· Her mother stood folding the wash, lost in thought.
to think about something a lot · I've given this a lot of thought, because we all know that health care issues are very important today.give a lot of thought to something · Tony has given a lot of thought to what made his father a legendary coach.· Many of the new West-Coast designers have obviously given a lot of thought to their furniture designs.
to be thinking about something all the time, especially because you are worried about it: · She has something on her mind, but she won't tell us what it is.· "Should we tell Dad?" "No, he's got a lot on his mind right now."be on somebody's mind: · Come on, tell me what's on your mind.· I'm not looking forward to the interview. It's been on my mind all week.
also can't get somebody/something out of my mind informal to be unable to stop thinking about someone or something, even when you do not want to think about them: · After the first three months of the pregnancy were over, I just couldn't stop thinking about food.· I just can't get that poor family out of my mind.
to spend too much time thinking about something sad or unpleasant - use this especially when telling someone not to do this: · Brian's still dwelling too much on the past, in my opinion.· There's no use in dwelling on problems that we can't do anything about.
to keep thinking for a long time about something that worries you or that makes you angry or upset: · Austin sat in the corner brooding and looking sorry for himself.brood on/over/about: · You can't spend all your time at home brooding about the way he treated you.· The poetry spends a lot of time brooding over death.
to spend all your time thinking about something that concerns you, for example your work, so that you have no time to think about other things or other people: · These days she's so wrapped up in her children she never sees anybody.· Sometimes the professors are so wrapped up in their graduate students, they ignore the undergraduates.
to be thinking all the time about something that is worrying you or that is important to you, so that it is difficult to think about anything else: · What is being done to end the crisis which has preoccupied the country's political leadership?be preoccupied with: · My mother was preoccupied with my brother and his illness, so I was allowed to do what I wanted.
spoken to be always thinking about a particular thing - use this when you want to say that someone thinks about something far too much: · It's unbelievable - you have sex on the brain 24 hours a day!
to think about something carefully and repeatedly, especially something you do not fully understand or that you have not made a final decision about: · When Dan left, Mae stayed there, turning his invitation over in her mind.· As he studied the picture of the little boy, he began to turn an idea over in his mind.
to think about something before making a decision · Give me time to think.· It's a difficult question. Think carefully before you answer.think about · I've been thinking about how to tell Marcia the bad news.· "What are you going to do with your day off?" "I don't know - I haven't really thought about it yet."think hard (=think carefully) · You have to think hard and ask yourself, "Do I want to give up everything to do this?"stop to think · You never even stopped to think how this might be affecting your family!
to think about something carefully before deciding what to do: · Before buying a car you should consider the cost of insuring it.consider doing something: · Have you considered working as a journalist?
to think carefully about an idea, suggestion, or offer before deciding what to do: think something over: · After thinking it over, I've decided to accept the offer.think over something: · Think over what I told you, and give me your answer when you're ready.
to think carefully and thoroughly about all the possible results and effects of something you are doing or plan to do: think through something: · The government is being criticized for not thinking through the consequences of further tax cuts.· It seems to me the whole plan was very badly thought through.think something through: · Before you commit yourself to this contract you should take a couple of hours to think it through.
also have a think British to spend some time thinking carefully about a question or problem in order to decide what to do: · My agent really wanted me to do the movie, but after giving it some thought I decided not to.· I'm still not sure what's the best route to take. I'll have a think about it tonight.
to delay making a decision about a difficult problem until the next day in order to have more time to think about it: · There's no obligation to do anything at all. Sleep on it, and tell me what you think in the morning.
to spend a long time thinking carefully about a plan or idea: mull over something: · If you are mulling over the idea of starting a new business, remember that there are many things that can affect your decision.mull something over: · After almost two decades of mulling it over in his mind, Sayles finally made his Texas movie.
if a plan, request, suggestion etc is under consideration , it is being considered and discussed so that an official decision can be made: · A new pension plan for employees is now under consideration.· One of the amendments under consideration proposes that all European countries reduce pollution levels by 30%.
when a thought comes into your mind to have an idea or thought in your mind, especially one that appears suddenly: · What are you thinking right now?think of: · I've just thought of a really good idea.· Has she thought of any names for the baby?· "Did you ask Rita?" "No, I didn't think of that."think of doing something: · There was water spraying everywhere, but nobody even thought of turning it off.think (that): · I think I'll go and see what's happening out there.
to think of an idea: · I have an idea. Why don't I drive the kids to school and then you can stay here.· Let me know if you have any good ideas.· Theresa had another idea. We would hitchhike to her hometown, and live in her brother's garagehave an idea for: · Collings had an idea for a device that would block out TV programs that parents didn't want their children to watch.
spoken to think something: · I've just had an awful thought. What if all the banks are closed?· I had an interesting thought today when I was talking to Anita. Do you realize that she's never asked us to her house in all the time we've known her?
if a new thought occurs to you, you suddenly think it: it occurs to somebody that: · It suddenly occurred to Miranda that perhaps no one would believe her story.· Didn't it occur to you that I might be worried?something occurs to somebody: · The possibility that he might be wrong never occurs to him.it occurs to somebody to do something: · As I thought about Mel and David and how similar they were, it occurred to me to introduce them to each other.
if a thought crosses someone's mind they think about it for a short time: · "Why didn't you call me?" "The thought did cross my mind while I was shopping this afternoon, but then I forgot all about it.it crossed somebody's mind that: · It crossed my mind that I was the only female coach on the committee, but that made me more determined than ever.it crossed somebody's mind to do something: · Several times it had crossed his mind to check on the car, but he never actually did it.it never crossed somebody's mind: · "It never crossed my mind to give up," he said. "It became an obsession."
if a thought enters someone's mind , they begin to think about it: it entered somebody's mind that: · At that moment it entered my mind that maybe someone was trying to kill him.it entered somebody's mind to do something: · Did it ever enter your mind to take out the garbage?it never entered somebody's mind: · It never entered my mind that Philip might be jealous.
if a thought or idea strikes you, you suddenly think it, especially because of something you have just seen or heard: it strikes somebody that: · I looked around the glittering room and it struck me that I was probably the poorest person there.strike somebody as strike adjective: · My mother was always asking questions, and it struck me as odd that she didn't ask one on this occasion.
if something comes or springs to mind , you suddenly think it, especially in relation to a particular subject that you are considering: · As I read the letter again, a number of thoughts came to mind.· Henry asked the first question that came to mind.· I love the circus life, but when people asked me what I wanted to be when I was older, "circus performer" was not what sprang to mind.
WORD SETScausation, nouncosmogony, noundeconstruction, noundeterminism, noundialectic, nounexistentialism, nounfree will, nounhumanism, nounhypothesis, nounidealism, nouninduction, nouninductive, adjectivelateral thinking, nounMarxism, nounmaterialism, nounmetaphysical, adjectivemetaphysics, nounnihilism, nounontology, nounphilosopher, nounphilosophical, adjectivephilosophize, verbpositivism, nounpostulate, nounprecept, nounsolipsism, nounsyllogism, nounTao, nounTaoism, nounthinker, nounthought, nountranscendentalism, nounutilitarian, adjectiveutilitarianism, nounyang, nounyin, nounyin and yang, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs Human beings are the only creatures capable of abstract thought (=thinking about ideas). They tried to banish the memory from their minds. Careful consideration has been given to all applications. Churchill’s clarity of vision impressed all who knew him. With this comforting thought, Harry fell asleep. Dieting always seems to conjure up images of endless salads. He dreaded the prospect of being all alone in that house. Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. He had thought long and hard before getting involved with the project. She thought longingly of returning to Paris. Harry just stood there, lost in thought. He paused for a moment as if to marshal his thoughts. Take no thought for the morrow (=do not worry about the future). Vitamin C is popularly believed to prevent colds. I don’t relish the thought of you walking home alone. He shuddered at the thought of the conflict ahead. It was a sobering thought. Plato draws all the strands of the argument together. Many investors have turned their attention to opportunities abroad. Phil turned his gaze towards the older man. I still wince at the thought of that terrible evening.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· I just had a funny thought.
(=say what they are or tell other people about them)· He was finding it difficult to express his thoughts.
(=someone suddenly has a thought)· The thought occurred to him that she might be lying.
(=someone has a thought)· The thought never crossed my mind that I could be wrong.
· I can’t bear the thought of you being hurt.
(=they start thinking about something)· As summer approaches, people’s thoughts turn to holidays.
adjectives· My first thought was that a bomb had gone off.
(=a quick, not very serious thought)· He never gives his appearance more than a passing thought.
(=one that makes you feel serious)· We have the power to destroy the world, which is a sobering thought.
· A horrible thought struck her: could he be having an affair?
· ‘People might not have noticed we’re late.’ ‘That’s a comforting thought.’
· A sudden thought struck her and she began to laugh.
phrases (=even the idea of doing something)· The very thought of going on stage made her feel ill.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Human beings are the only creatures capable of abstract thought (=thinking about ideas). They tried to banish the memory from their minds. Careful consideration has been given to all applications. Churchill’s clarity of vision impressed all who knew him. With this comforting thought, Harry fell asleep. Dieting always seems to conjure up images of endless salads. (=used to tell someone you have thought of the thing they are suggesting, or have never thought of it)
· Was he lying? I tried to dismiss the thought.
· A gentle knock on the door disturbed his thoughts.
He dreaded the prospect of being all alone in that house. Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. He had thought long and hard before getting involved with the project. She thought longingly of returning to Paris. Harry just stood there, lost in thought. He paused for a moment as if to marshal his thoughts. Take no thought for the morrow (=do not worry about the future).· 'Of course,' she replied, without pausing for thought.
Vitamin C is popularly believed to prevent colds.· Think positive thoughts.
· Babies were thought to be incapable of rational thought.
I don’t relish the thought of you walking home alone. He shuddered at the thought of the conflict ahead. It was a sobering thought. Plato draws all the strands of the argument together. Many investors have turned their attention to opportunities abroad. Phil turned his gaze towards the older man. (=just an idea or suggestion)· The very idea of acting on stage scares the pants off me.
I still wince at the thought of that terrible evening.· We do need order, concern, mutual consideration and careful thought, but not as devices to suppress the darker forces.· To design something usually implies careful thought, preparation, organization, and coherence.· You need to give careful thought to any such stipulation before accepting it.· Meanwhile, since the beginning of 1941, Navy planners had been giving careful thought to a revamping of fleet strategy.· And each work area needs careful thought to ensure that all necessary equipment and ingredients are conveniently to hand.· I also admired and learned from the careful thought that this organization had put into their program.· This can often give rise to dispute and requires careful thought.· Busacher, after careful thought, had decided he would conduct the orchestra himself this evening.
· He wondered whether he'd been asleep for a while, or just deep in thought.· Holmes stood still, apparently in deep thought, as the Viscount paced nervously about.· Kirov had opened himself up so that the younger man would trust him enough to confide his deepest thoughts.· The only difference now is that he wears a headband, perhaps to keep all of his deep thoughts from falling out.· If there is, it has to be at a deeper level of thought and interaction than we have so far identified.· In deep thought I drove back to Upper Bowland.· He stood gazing off into vistas, legs apart, arms folded across his chest and thought deep thoughts.
· They were not good, serious thoughts.· He said he received a couple of calls from job-placement agencies yesterday, but has not given a new job serious thought.· But little serious thought has been given to this problem.· Not a serious thought in my head.· He also gave some serious thought to how he should look.· Damage at the ancient Armagh Royal School is also more serious than first thought.· It was high time she got down to serious thought about her doctorate.
NOUN· I think you may have a fundamental flaw in your thought processes.· Might not some essential aspects of quantum theory also be playing crucial roles in the physics that underlies our thought processes?· Foveal and peripheral awareness Our senses, and our thought processes too, function through centres of energy.· Many people insist that most of their political knowledge is based on their own rational thought processes.· By which is meant that they have developed their ability to focus both senses and mind upon a thought process.· Just to motivate the thought processes, let me suggest a possible set of goals.· I think it might aid the thought processes, old boy.· Think about your normal thought processes.
· I am very, very comfortable with the decision that I made with my family last year, no second thoughts.· They spent untold quantities of blood in pursuit of an inhuman ideology, with no compunctions and no second thoughts.· Keep him laughing and he might have second thoughts about eating you!· There is a question of a leader having second thoughts about the war.· Completion normally takes place four to eight weeks later and there is no opportunity for second thoughts.· On second thoughts, maybe we should let him.· I hope Darlington Transport have second thoughts on the matter.
VERB· He barely had time to collect his thoughts before they were shown in.· Laing pauses to collect his thoughts when considering what was perhaps the most difficult decision of his long career.· I piped up in his defense, having had moments to collect my thoughts.· Then, collecting her thoughts, shutting out all sound save that in her headset, she began to take down the message.· He stopped for a few minutes in a small park to enjoy the scenery and collect his thoughts.· He listened intently, trying to collect his thoughts away from the past of his dreams to the present of reality.· Then he paused to collect his thoughts.
· But he never entertained the thought of just walking away.· How could she, even fleetingly, entertain such a thought for a man who despised her so deeply and so openly?· To the point where Valerie would entertain the thought that Casey was possessed.· He had entertained thoughts of marrying her and raising a family, but he entered the Society instead.
· He had expressed a similar thought to a neurologist friend of his once, to receive an alarmed look in reply.· While Nelson expressed affectionate thoughts about his parents, he was also clearly in conflict with them.· Because the questionnaire was conducted in strict confidence some took this opportunity to express their thoughts.· It is the self creating and expressing thought.· It is about something even more important: the way in which people express their thoughts.· She has also used the poetry of others, such as Shakespeare, to express her thoughts.· That seemed too much like - like - he sought to express the thought completely and fully - a recipe by Soyer.· Tammy seems to have meant the ability to express more complex thoughts in writing.
· We must therefore give a lot of thought to publicity.· I would have to give it some thought.· He looked drawn now, Ruth thought, and wondered if he had ever given her a thought since Seville.· Meanwhile, since the beginning of 1941, Navy planners had been giving careful thought to a revamping of fleet strategy.· He also gave some serious thought to how he should look.· But you should give some thought to how you maintain contact.· Secondly, the storage of data should be given some prior thought as this is often overlooked.· I gave some thought to coming down there to see you but I know you would not want me to.
· She did not read his thoughts or hear him talking in his sleep.· You could almost read Horton's thoughts as the chances kept going by.· I read your thoughts and letters weeks ago.· But I can't read your thoughts.· His expression stayed stern and Fabia, trying to read his thoughts, started to squirm inwardly.· It was as if he were trying to read her thoughts.· He'd somehow read her most secret thoughts.
· But whereas Errol struck it lucky, spare a thought for Instonian Neil Cooke.· Whilst knitting your designs you might spare a thought for Giant Pandas now very much an endangered species.· Let us take a moment this Advent to spare a thought for what the poorest of our world are waiting for.· No self-respecting Zen-Buddhist spares a second thought for it.· Things to do in September Spare a thought for next spring and plant your outdoor bulbs.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► it’s just a thought► it’s/that’s a thought!► it’s the thought that counts► thoughtsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► collect yourself/collect your thoughts► nothing could be/is further from somebody’s mind/thoughts► gather yourself/your strength/your thoughts► give something thought/attention/consideration etc► not give something a second thought/another thought► your heart/thoughts go out to somebody► hold that thought► a penny for your thoughts/a penny for them► perish the thought!► not give something a second thought/without a second thought
- But spare a thought for Helen Williams.
- But whereas Errol struck it lucky, spare a thought for Instonian Neil Cooke.
- Let us take a moment this Advent to spare a thought for what the poorest of our world are waiting for.
- While all these contrivances give us the pleasure of moving water, we must spare a thought for the plants beneath.
- Whilst knitting your designs you might spare a thought for Giant Pandas now very much an endangered species.
- "I'm really sorry about that." "Don't give another thought."
- "I'm sorry we had to cancel the party.'' "Oh, please don't give it another thought. It wasn't your fault that you were ill!''
- He held out his hand to his junior master and composed his face into a solemn expression of trust.
- I compose my face into a smile.
- I tried to compose my features into a combination of nonchalance and justification.
- They had composed their faces, but their eyes sparkled and their mouths yearned to smile.
- When asked a question do not rush at your answer but give yourself a second or two to compose your thoughts.
- Anthea and the professor had been deep in conversation with an eager group of ladies from Leicester, leaving Meryl momentarily alone.
- Clarence and the mayor were still deep in conversation.
- He was deep in conversation with the daughter of the house, a little girl of about twelve.
- The boy-him, he had to remind himself-looked deep in thought.
- The Count was deep in conversation with the mayor, who was staring down at his feet.
- He had entertained thoughts of marrying her and raising a family, but he entered the Society instead.
- Most significantly on my sense of a distant but still valid national identity-until then I had entertained hopes of return.
- The study on poverty certainly offers food for thought to America's leaders.
- And there is plenty of food for thought.
- He never got past the words food for thought.
- Ian Wright also had food for thought as he made a hasty exit from Arsenal's demoralised dressing room.
- It's food for thought, though.
- Jeffcoate W.. Obesity is a disease: food for thought.
- Several interesting issues present some food for thought, however.
- That building provides us with food for thought.
- The lack of parcels and buses gave us all some food for thought of late.
- And such habits of mind survive the passage of time.
- But a habit of mind, something much more important, will stay with young people.
- Has this become a habit of mind?
- If views are similar it's because habits of thought are the same.
- The care of the interior demands an obsessive habit of mind.
- These habits of thought and action enable a business or work group to take full credit for the triumphs it achieves.
- This was his habit of mind.
- What habits of thought could matter more?
- While she waited, she tried to occupy her mind with pleasant thoughts of the vacation.
- High real estate prices have given potential buyers pause.
- But it gave you some pause to think of what else might be crawling around there.
- Even seemingly innocuous turnstile-exits with interlocking horizontal bars give my sister pause, however.
- It gave him pause, but soon enough he had his own retort.-Yeah, right.
- Knowing what Edmund has done to his real father might have given Cornwall pause before proclaiming himself the next one.
- The breadth of this holding gives one pause.
- Their sparring for position of least-favoured son gave me pause for thought.
- Yet the offer seems to have given Burton no pause.
- Don't expect your spouse to be able to read your mind.
- According to one school of thought, the disease is caused by a genetic defect.
- There are many schools of thought on how yoga should be taught.
- There are two schools of thought. One wants to control inflation, while the other is more interested in boosting employment.
- Basically, there were two schools of thought.
- Each school of thought has enjoyed constant internal debate about assumptions and methods.
- Indeed, one school of thought believed that the female brain was biologically different from that of the male.
- Inevitably this has meant some over-simplifying, stereotyping and exaggeration in the claims and counter-claims of the different schools of thought.
- There are two schools of thought concerning the application of syntactic knowledge.
- There are various schools of thought on how captions or short photo-stories should be affixed to photographs.
- Two schools of thought emerged during the summer of 1936.
- Couples contemplating divorce often have second thoughts when they realize how it will affect their children.
- It was obvious that the company was having second thoughts about the whole project.
- But now, with the raft travelling more slowly than I had planned, I began to have second thoughts.
- But then various men on the race committee and some male members of the National Aeronautic Association began to have second thoughts.
- I hope Darlington Transport have second thoughts on the matter.
- Keep him laughing and he might have second thoughts about eating you!
- Perhaps Mr Harrison would have second thoughts if he walked in our neck of the woods.
- Somewhere between second helpings I began to have second thoughts.
- Such incidents might have caused Sir Bernard to have second thoughts about the system; but he defends it with passion.
- Then, before she could have second thoughts, she picked up the telephone and dialled his number.
- But perhaps, on second thoughts, it wasn't so strange: Luke was special, unique.
- He was decisive and never wasted time on second thoughts.
- In fact, on second thoughts, would it not be far more sensible to invite Emilia to come to Cambridge?
- No, on second thoughts, I wasn't sulking.
- Then, on second thoughts, she opened the lid just the tiniest fraction so that the creature could breathe.
- William Oh-right-on second thoughts maybe it wasn't that bad.
- You eventually work out that if ... on second thoughts, you can solve it yourself!
- A more serious consideration to my mind is the continued quotation of Ingard shares on the Stock Exchange.
- Book publishing is another important aspect of the print media to which private organisations and the government should pay serious attention.
- But little serious thought has been given to this problem.
- Dangerous goods and perishable goods are two examples of operational specializations worth serious consideration.
- It does not mean that money has to rule, but it is a necessary and serious consideration.
- It was high time she got down to serious thought about her doctorate.
- The concept of interleague play in major league baseball is certainly intriguing, worthy of serious consideration.
- The fact is that I had already begun to give serious consideration to the possibility of doing away with Dennis Parsons.
- We should spare a thought for those less fortunate.
- But spare a thought for Helen Williams.
- But whereas Errol struck it lucky, spare a thought for Instonian Neil Cooke.
- Let us take a moment this Advent to spare a thought for what the poorest of our world are waiting for.
- While all these contrivances give us the pleasure of moving water, we must spare a thought for the plants beneath.
- Whilst knitting your designs you might spare a thought for Giant Pandas now very much an endangered species.
- But new-wave sanitation experts say sewerage offers little more than convenience when compared to well thought-out latrines.
- Each section is well thought-out and presented with a good number of diagrams and chromatograms.
- It is here that the value of well thought-out objectives can be seen.
- The system is a well thought-out one and seems to work well.
- Problem Too many phone calls breaking my train of thought.
- Some one called out, breaking his train of thought.
- The first task attempted will be to trace the train of thought in this unit.
- The kettle began to whistle, breaking into her train of thought.
- These are discussed with a clarity which enables the reader to fully identify with the author's train of thought.
- Tracing the train of thought in 6: 12-20 is the task at hand.
- Tunes pulled at the hems of her train of thought.
- However; they had done little to develop emotional ideas and emotional thinking, to help Kyle put his feelings into words.
WORD FAMILYnounthoughtthoughtfulness ≠ thoughtlessnessadjectivethoughtful ≠ thoughtlessadverbthoughtfully ≠ thoughtlessly
1something you think about [countable] something that you think of, remember, or realize SYN idea: It’s an interesting thought. The thought that I might not have a job next year is a bit troubling.► see thesaurus at idea2ideas/opinions thoughts [plural] a person’s ideas or opinions about something: What are your thoughts, Michael?thought on Any thoughts on how we should spend the money?3careful consideration [uncountable] careful and serious consideration: With more thought and care this would have been a first-class essay.give something thought/give thought to something (=think carefully about something) I’ve been giving your proposal a lot of thought. Have you given any more thought to going back to school?4act of thinking [uncountable] the act or process of thinkinglost/deep in thought (=thinking so much that you do not notice what is happening around you) Derek was staring out of the window, lost in thought. Piaget’s research focused on children’s thought processes (=the way their minds work).5caring about something [countable, uncountable] a feeling of worrying or caring about somethingthought for He went back into the burning building with no thought for his own safety. Have you no thought for anyone but yourself? You are always in my thoughts (=used to tell someone that you think and care about them a lot).6intention [countable, uncountable] intention or hope of doing somethingthought of doing something I had no thought of gaining any personal advantage. Lucy gave up all thought of finishing the essay that day.7way of thinking [uncountable] a way of thinking that is typical of a particular group, period of history etcancient Greek/feminist/18th-century etc thought Kant’s ideas had a strong influence on political thought.8spare a thought for somebody British English used to tell someone that they should think about someone who is in a worse situation than they are: Spare a thought for those who don’t have enough to eat.9it’s just a thought spoken used to say that what you have just said is only a suggestion and you have not thought about it very much: It was just a thought, Duncan. I didn’t mean any offence.10it’s/that’s a thought! spoken used to say that someone has made a good suggestion: ‘Why don’t you ask Walter?’ ‘That’s a thought! I’ll phone him right away.’11don’t give it another thought spoken used to tell someone not to worry after they have told you they are sorry12it’s the thought that counts spoken used to say that you are grateful for a gift from someone even though it is small or unimportant → perish the thought! at perish(3), → on second thoughts at second1(8), → school of thought at school1(8)COLLOCATIONSverbshave a thought· I just had a funny thought.express your thoughts (=say what they are or tell other people about them)· He was finding it difficult to express his thoughts.a thought occurs to/comes to/strikes somebody (=someone suddenly has a thought)· The thought occurred to him that she might be lying.a thought crosses somebody’s mind (=someone has a thought)· The thought never crossed my mind that I could be wrong.can’t bear the thought of something· I can’t bear the thought of you being hurt.somebody’s thoughts turn to something (=they start thinking about something)· As summer approaches, people’s thoughts turn to holidays.adjectivessomebody’s first thought· My first thought was that a bomb had gone off.a passing thought (=a quick, not very serious thought)· He never gives his appearance more than a passing thought.a sobering thought (=one that makes you feel serious)· We have the power to destroy the world, which is a sobering thought.horrible/disturbing· A horrible thought struck her: could he be having an affair?a comforting thought· ‘People might not have noticed we’re late.’ ‘That’s a comforting thought.’a sudden thought· A sudden thought struck her and she began to laugh.phrasesthe very thought (=even the idea of doing something)· The very thought of going on stage made her feel ill.- dishonourable
- dishonourable discharge
- dishpan
- dishrag
- dish towel
- dishwasher
- dishwashing liquid
- dishwater
- dishy
- disillusion
- disillusioned
- disillusionment
- disincentive
- disinclination
- disinclined
- disinfect
- disinfectant
- disinformation
- disingenuous
- disingenuously
- disinherit
- disintegrate
- disintegration
- disinter
- disinterest