| 释义 |
Definition of idea in English: ideanoun ʌɪˈdɪəaɪˈdiə 1A thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action. recently, the idea of linking pay to performance has caught on it's a good idea to do some research before you go Example sentencesExamples - The scrutiny board is also looking for ideas on possible events and activities linked to the rivers.
- Even more could be spent if residents suggest good ideas to improve transport facilities.
- None of this is to suggest that the driver retraining course is a bad idea or a soft option.
- This weekend I've been quite busy at work on a little project that came out of an idea that Tamsin suggested to me.
- Members are also asked to suggest activity ideas for the group to pursue during the year.
- I'll have a basic idea, of course, but depending on the texture of the wood and the shape of it, it kind of evolves.
- This is of course a neat idea and Mo is a very generous man for doing it.
- An English geologist has come up with one of the most ingenious ideas yet suggested.
- This year's exhibition will show how the latest ideas and suggestions are being developed.
- He suggested a number of ideas that would change the society and destiny of the island.
- Downing Street, however, described the suggestion as an idea, not a formal proposal.
- Of the ten ideas suggested, five attracted significantly more votes than the rest.
- Of course, ideas like this will not be the only way in which people are encouraged to make a difference.
- Everyone liked her ideas but several suggested that she first talk to the mayor.
- I suggest a few ideas in my book, but as you say, who would have a go at cleaning it up in government?
- The Trust is also on the look out for new members to put forward suggestions and ideas for future projects.
- Many of the audience have pledged to do far more than just one of the ideas suggested in the programme.
- She had suggested the idea to David and Robbie whilst they were in Los Angeles recently.
- If his ideas pay off, though, it won't be long before gates rise and monies come in.
- We really want to hear what people think of this and to hear their ideas and suggestions.
Synonyms plan, design, scheme, project, proposal, proposition, suggestion, recommendation, aim, intention, objective, object, purpose, end, goal, target - 1.1in singular A mental impression.
our menu list will give you some idea of how interesting a low-fat diet can be Example sentencesExamples - When you did it, did you have any idea that it would last for decades and decades?
- So do you have any idea who influenced the artist Kanye West when he was growing up?
- You don't get a really good idea of all the work that goes into the art that represents an album.
- Until my report later on this week, this might give you some idea of what it's like.
- It was bizarre to speak to someone when I had absolutely no idea what they looked like.
- Women probably have a better idea of the male world and male values than men do of women's.
- Once you run the numbers, you should have a fairly good idea of what you'll need to live on.
- Do you have any idea where they may have been staying in Thailand, if it was one of the beach resorts?
- The implication is that the Chinese have either no idea of beauty or a wrong one.
- He probably had the best idea of what was going on of anyone in this room, besides me, that is.
- If you've been wondering what the book is about, this will give you a much better idea.
- Also, check out the group of free songs here, to get some idea what I am going on and on about.
- Do you have any idea how much trouble I've gone through today to try to make it perfect for you?
- Do you have any idea how much money you are wasting to travel to all these places?
- They have only the shakiest idea of the beliefs and principles of either.
- Many of us perhaps have little idea what it must be like to be in the depths of despair.
- I recently got back into sabre fencing and I have a pretty good idea of how much I lost.
- He keeps trying to make deals with people who idea of deals is your capitulation.
- Which gives you a pretty good idea of how trusted Col. Kline was by his fellow officers.
- I know how it feels to be judged by people who don't have any idea what's going on in your life.
- Do you have any idea how long a hold on new space shuttle takeoffs will continue?
Synonyms concept, notion, conception, conceptualization, thought, image, mental picture, visualization, abstraction, perception hypothesis, postulation - 1.2 An opinion or belief.
nineteenth-century ideas about drinking Example sentencesExamples - Instead we must turn to what is intelligible: the values, beliefs and ideas revealed by art.
- What I love is the idea that the public needs to see punishment taking place.
- No other institution enjoys such sweeping powers to suppress the expression of opinions and ideas.
- The idea that all workers must work until they drop from exhaustion is to approach the problem from the wrong end.
- It is easy to think that the idea of the will to life is wrongly fixated on the idea that there are purposes in nature.
- Part and parcel of Jewish belief is the idea that God entrusted His message to the Sages.
- Of course, the idea that all men are created equal does not mean that all men are created the same.
- In my opinion, these ideas and ideals are slipping fast, and we need to fight for them.
- What I don't understand is the idea that any criticism of America is not appropriate.
- Many of Galton's ideas were, of course, based on prejudices he brought to his science.
- Of course, the idea that there really were boy knights fighting in the Middle Ages we now know to be a misconception.
- She was quiet for the whole session; she did not share her opinions or ideas on the text they were studying.
- The idea was to meet as diverse a mix of people and hear as many differing ideas as was possible.
- The terrorists must not allow the idea to spread around that you are safe so long as you are neither an unbeliever or a foreigner.
- It's time to give up, or at least to give up the idea that a unilingual public should be able to follow.
- The idea that we must take action to avoid a Brave New World resonates powerfully within our culture.
- This of course entails the idea that the ruling ideology doesn't take itself seriously.
- Absolutely and at the core of their approach was of course the idea that we are made up of the balance of four humours.
- His responses suggest possible resistance to the idea that personal changes are needed.
- Yet this has been accompanied by a huge growth in belief in the idea that our lives are ruled by the stars and in a world of spirits unknown to the sciences.
Synonyms thought, theory, view, viewpoint, opinion, feeling, outlook, belief, judgement, conclusion
2the ideaThe aim or purpose. I took a job with the idea of getting some money together Example sentencesExamples - Perhaps the idea of us meeting up again was not the purpose of our encounter.
- It involves listening to the other side, not with the idea of debate but for the purpose of learning.
- In my opinion, the whole idea of Islamic Revolution was about the God's role in the society.
- I suppose the original idea behind the award is to foster great comedy and to open it up to a broader range of performers and audiences.
- In fact, it's that good it would make you want to go out walking, which I suppose is the whole idea.
- If you were passing you wouldn't give this door a second look, which must have been the idea when they installed it.
- Now it's emerged that Google and Comcast have their own ideas for a possible tie-up.
- Of course, the whole idea is to go there to concentrate and focus on the work, not on what to do in the evenings.
- There was a temptation to chuck it in the bin, but I suppose that defeats the idea.
- The whole idea of on-line courses is that everyone can study what they want.
- The idea, of course, is that customers are driven to HMV as soon as the New Year sales begin.
- That they cut the phone line as well makes it more sinister and suggests that the idea was to endanger life.
- Allan has other ideas, of course, and a bid for one or other of his rivals now looks certain.
- The idea, I suppose, is that while Santa was fiddling the lock his reindeer would hover over the driveway.
- Surely the idea must have been to share it equally - and if it is his home too, should he be forced out of it?
Synonyms purpose, point, aim, object, objective, goal, intention, end, end in view, design, reason, use, utility, sense, motive value, advantage 3Philosophy
(in Platonic thought) an eternally existing pattern of which individual things in any class are imperfect copies. Example sentencesExamples - For example, the "Form" or "Idea" of a horse is intelligible, abstract, and applies to all horses.
- The idea "cat" is simply pure "catness" which exists and moves about the world of Ideas.
- 3.1 (in Kantian thought) a concept of pure reason, not empirically based in experience.
Example sentencesExamples - In contrast, Kant calls the concepts of pure reason 'transcendental ideas.'
- Kant nonetheless takes the ideas of God, the soul, and the world to have a valid philosophical use as regulative, i.e., for guiding the direction of inquiry to be all the more encompassing in scope.
Phrases get (or give someone) ideas informal Become (or make someone) ambitious, conceited, or tempted to do something. I don't want you getting any ideas about me just because we're thrown together like this Example sentencesExamples - I read that to Archer, along with the part about you not sharing for fear of giving him ideas.
- I don't want to give them ideas, but I'm looking forward to the derby.
- According to Silberstein, there are even those who worry that his recent success as an artist will give him ideas, as though he were the Phantom of the Opera, and had suddenly decided to climb onstage and sing Tosca at the Met.
- On second thoughts, let's not give Gordon ideas.
- It was a wedding hot spot: what if a fortnight around nauseating newlyweds gave her ideas?
- ‘Don't go giving her ideas,’ he warned in a whisper.
- ‘Hey now, don't start giving her ideas,’ Matt said.
- In fact, this line of argument should stop here, in case it gives them ideas.
- Media violence just adds to the problem and gives them ideas about how to express their anger.
- I do not appreciate the rest of you saying I do either, probably giving her ideas.
informal Not know at all. she had no idea where she was going Example sentencesExamples - I LOVE having no idea what time it is, all the livelong day.
- The way the story is told by people who analyse Westminster for us, a landslide victory was in fact a cunning ruse culminating in millions of people all turning up at polling stations on the same day, and having no idea why they were there.
- Where that idea came from she had no idea but then, she always was a bit of a dreamer.
- I can certainly remember having no idea what we were preparing for.
- I went into the conference having no idea what the response would be; this was, after all, the only conference I had ever been to where there was a prayer to open the banquet.
- All this time, Marlow was becoming fascinated with the idea of Kurtz - having no idea what to expect, he still felt a certain loyalty to the man.
- In addition to having no idea what it's like to live without health coverage, I guess these folks haven't heard of public health either.
- Perhaps one of the most notable changes was this, my foray into the blogosphere, something I began in the belief that I likely wouldn't continue for long and having no idea of the friends I would make all over the world.
- Wanting to impress someone, but having no idea who my boss is, I headed to Ted Turner's office, who may or may not own my company.
- But there we were - passionate, engaged, and having a great time with the journey, having no idea what the destination looks like.
Synonyms have no idea, not have any idea, be ignorant, not have an inkling
informal Not what someone regards as typical of. it's not my idea of a happy ending Example sentencesExamples - That is not my idea of what constitutes an affordable afternoon.
- This is not my idea of balance, and certainly not my idea of equity.
- But watching a TV commercial on the big screen for a lot of people is not their idea of going to the movies.
- Maybe I'm not your idea of what a Republican should be, but then again, you're not my idea of what a decent human being should be.
- I am also sure than reading grammatically repulsive and humour challenged paragraphs are not your idea of weekend fun.
- If it's not your idea of right, then you should be ashamed of your party.
- If death-defying driving is not your idea of entertainment, why not walk along the country lanes and see how many discarded bottles of Buckfast, vodka, whisky, and gin you can count in the hedgerows.
- Or if horticulture is not your idea of a day out you can still access refreshments without paying an entrance fee.
- Wearing fur in the tropics is not Giroux 's idea of comfort.
- I am sure you are absolutely right about that, but your technique for cross-examining witnesses in the family court is not my idea of how it should be done.
put ideas into someone's head Suggest aspirations that a person would not otherwise have had. Example sentencesExamples - This morning, I read several more chapters of Black Fiddle which put ideas into my head.
- Books about outlaws were blamed because they put ideas into his head about an exciting life of crime.
- This would happen if God were actively putting ideas into my head that, prima facie and in all cases, seemed to have some other source.
- You shouldn't say such things to the children, putting ideas into their head!
informal That suggestion or proposal is worth considering. Example sentencesExamples - ‘Now that's an idea,’ Jesse nodded eagerly, ‘an obstacle course, maybe?’
- Hey, that's an idea - an extension that strips all the images from Xeni's posts.
- Hmm… well that's an idea.
- Hey, that's an idea; I could ask Kemaya if Cleopatra could have a book of animal tongues!
- Some of these are a little disturbing: the chicken and the egg in trademark - now that's an idea!
- The insight that you could design small, medium, and large cups so that they all use the same size lid - that's an idea.
- Now that's an idea - I'll email NASA straight away!
- ‘Hmm. that's an idea, Veltira,’ Bayoline said.
- His eyes light up at the prospect. ‘Well now, that's an idea!’
informal Used to confirm that someone has understood something or they are doing something correctly. ‘A sort of bodyguard?’ ‘That's the idea.’ Example sentencesExamples - Well, that's the idea, but so far it hasn't worked out that way for The Donnas.
- Yep, that's the idea, he is searching for the myth that guides his life.
- You'll try something, he'll say, ‘Yes, that's the idea, but maybe I want your arms to go up.’
informal An exclamation of disapproval or disagreement. Example sentencesExamples - She was subtly moving the debate on, from jokey repartee (the very idea!) to smiling yet intransigent persistence.
- The very idea! What an outrage!
You cannot understand or imagine. you have no idea how much it means to me Example sentencesExamples - Trust me, you have no idea how hard it is to type this.
- You have no idea how appreciative we are, especially when the children have to come with us.
- You have no idea how overbearing she is.
- You've no idea how excited I was as an eighteen year old first time voter.
- You have no idea how difficult it is to work in a situation like that.
- You have no idea how sad I am.
- You have no idea what he values most in the world.
- You have no idea how much money changes hands on this one street alone.
- You have no idea how many times we reshot this photo.
Origin Late Middle English (in sense 3): via Latin from Greek idea 'form, pattern', from the base of idein 'to see'. Rhymes adhere, Agadir, Anglosphere, appear, arrear, auctioneer, austere, balladeer, bandolier, Bashkir, beer, besmear, bier, blear, bombardier, brigadier, buccaneer, cameleer, career, cashier, cavalier, chandelier, charioteer, cheer, chevalier, chiffonier, clavier, clear, Coetzee, cohere, commandeer, conventioneer, Cordelier, corsetière, Crimea, dear, deer, diarrhoea (US diarrhea), domineer, Dorothea, drear, ear, electioneer, emir, endear, engineer, fear, fleer, Freer, fusilier, gadgeteer, Galatea, gazetteer, gear, gondolier, gonorrhoea (US gonorrhea), Greer, grenadier, hand-rear, hear, here, Hosea, interfere, Izmir, jeer, Judaea, Kashmir, Keir, kir, Korea, Lear, leer, Maria, marketeer, Medea, Meir, Melilla, mere, Mia, Mir, mishear, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, near, orienteer, pamphleteer, panacea, paneer, peer, persevere, pier, Pierre, pioneer, pistoleer, privateer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, ratafia, rear, revere, rhea, rocketeer, Sapir, scrutineer, sear, seer, sere, severe, Shamir, shear, sheer, sincere, smear, sneer, sonneteer, souvenir, spear, sphere, steer, stere, summiteer, Tangier, tear, tier, Trier, Tyr, veer, veneer, Vere, Vermeer, vizier, volunteer, Wear, weir, we're, year, Zaïre Definition of idea in US English: ideanounaɪˈdiəīˈdēə 1A thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action. they don't think it's a very good idea Example sentencesExamples - I'll have a basic idea, of course, but depending on the texture of the wood and the shape of it, it kind of evolves.
- This weekend I've been quite busy at work on a little project that came out of an idea that Tamsin suggested to me.
- If his ideas pay off, though, it won't be long before gates rise and monies come in.
- He suggested a number of ideas that would change the society and destiny of the island.
- An English geologist has come up with one of the most ingenious ideas yet suggested.
- Everyone liked her ideas but several suggested that she first talk to the mayor.
- None of this is to suggest that the driver retraining course is a bad idea or a soft option.
- Of the ten ideas suggested, five attracted significantly more votes than the rest.
- Members are also asked to suggest activity ideas for the group to pursue during the year.
- The scrutiny board is also looking for ideas on possible events and activities linked to the rivers.
- Downing Street, however, described the suggestion as an idea, not a formal proposal.
- Many of the audience have pledged to do far more than just one of the ideas suggested in the programme.
- We really want to hear what people think of this and to hear their ideas and suggestions.
- This is of course a neat idea and Mo is a very generous man for doing it.
- She had suggested the idea to David and Robbie whilst they were in Los Angeles recently.
- This year's exhibition will show how the latest ideas and suggestions are being developed.
- I suggest a few ideas in my book, but as you say, who would have a go at cleaning it up in government?
- Of course, ideas like this will not be the only way in which people are encouraged to make a difference.
- Even more could be spent if residents suggest good ideas to improve transport facilities.
- The Trust is also on the look out for new members to put forward suggestions and ideas for future projects.
Synonyms plan, design, scheme, project, proposal, proposition, suggestion, recommendation, aim, intention, objective, object, purpose, end, goal, target - 1.1 A concept or mental impression.
our menu list will give you some idea of how interesting a low-fat diet can be Example sentencesExamples - So do you have any idea who influenced the artist Kanye West when he was growing up?
- Which gives you a pretty good idea of how trusted Col. Kline was by his fellow officers.
- If you've been wondering what the book is about, this will give you a much better idea.
- Do you have any idea how long a hold on new space shuttle takeoffs will continue?
- I know how it feels to be judged by people who don't have any idea what's going on in your life.
- Many of us perhaps have little idea what it must be like to be in the depths of despair.
- Also, check out the group of free songs here, to get some idea what I am going on and on about.
- Do you have any idea how much money you are wasting to travel to all these places?
- It was bizarre to speak to someone when I had absolutely no idea what they looked like.
- Do you have any idea how much trouble I've gone through today to try to make it perfect for you?
- The implication is that the Chinese have either no idea of beauty or a wrong one.
- He probably had the best idea of what was going on of anyone in this room, besides me, that is.
- He keeps trying to make deals with people who idea of deals is your capitulation.
- Until my report later on this week, this might give you some idea of what it's like.
- You don't get a really good idea of all the work that goes into the art that represents an album.
- Do you have any idea where they may have been staying in Thailand, if it was one of the beach resorts?
- When you did it, did you have any idea that it would last for decades and decades?
- Once you run the numbers, you should have a fairly good idea of what you'll need to live on.
- Women probably have a better idea of the male world and male values than men do of women's.
- I recently got back into sabre fencing and I have a pretty good idea of how much I lost.
- They have only the shakiest idea of the beliefs and principles of either.
Synonyms concept, notion, conception, conceptualization, thought, image, mental picture, visualization, abstraction, perception - 1.2 An opinion or belief.
nineteenth-century ideas about drinking Example sentencesExamples - This of course entails the idea that the ruling ideology doesn't take itself seriously.
- It is easy to think that the idea of the will to life is wrongly fixated on the idea that there are purposes in nature.
- The idea that all workers must work until they drop from exhaustion is to approach the problem from the wrong end.
- Part and parcel of Jewish belief is the idea that God entrusted His message to the Sages.
- What I love is the idea that the public needs to see punishment taking place.
- Of course, the idea that all men are created equal does not mean that all men are created the same.
- His responses suggest possible resistance to the idea that personal changes are needed.
- No other institution enjoys such sweeping powers to suppress the expression of opinions and ideas.
- Absolutely and at the core of their approach was of course the idea that we are made up of the balance of four humours.
- The idea that we must take action to avoid a Brave New World resonates powerfully within our culture.
- In my opinion, these ideas and ideals are slipping fast, and we need to fight for them.
- Many of Galton's ideas were, of course, based on prejudices he brought to his science.
- It's time to give up, or at least to give up the idea that a unilingual public should be able to follow.
- What I don't understand is the idea that any criticism of America is not appropriate.
- The idea was to meet as diverse a mix of people and hear as many differing ideas as was possible.
- The terrorists must not allow the idea to spread around that you are safe so long as you are neither an unbeliever or a foreigner.
- She was quiet for the whole session; she did not share her opinions or ideas on the text they were studying.
- Of course, the idea that there really were boy knights fighting in the Middle Ages we now know to be a misconception.
- Instead we must turn to what is intelligible: the values, beliefs and ideas revealed by art.
- Yet this has been accompanied by a huge growth in belief in the idea that our lives are ruled by the stars and in a world of spirits unknown to the sciences.
Synonyms thought, theory, view, viewpoint, opinion, feeling, outlook, belief, judgement, conclusion
2the ideaThe aim or purpose. I took a job with the idea of getting some money together Example sentencesExamples - It involves listening to the other side, not with the idea of debate but for the purpose of learning.
- Perhaps the idea of us meeting up again was not the purpose of our encounter.
- In my opinion, the whole idea of Islamic Revolution was about the God's role in the society.
- Allan has other ideas, of course, and a bid for one or other of his rivals now looks certain.
- In fact, it's that good it would make you want to go out walking, which I suppose is the whole idea.
- The idea, of course, is that customers are driven to HMV as soon as the New Year sales begin.
- I suppose the original idea behind the award is to foster great comedy and to open it up to a broader range of performers and audiences.
- Surely the idea must have been to share it equally - and if it is his home too, should he be forced out of it?
- That they cut the phone line as well makes it more sinister and suggests that the idea was to endanger life.
- Of course, the whole idea is to go there to concentrate and focus on the work, not on what to do in the evenings.
- Now it's emerged that Google and Comcast have their own ideas for a possible tie-up.
- The idea, I suppose, is that while Santa was fiddling the lock his reindeer would hover over the driveway.
- There was a temptation to chuck it in the bin, but I suppose that defeats the idea.
- The whole idea of on-line courses is that everyone can study what they want.
- If you were passing you wouldn't give this door a second look, which must have been the idea when they installed it.
Synonyms purpose, point, aim, object, objective, goal, intention, end, end in view, design, reason, use, utility, sense, motive 3Philosophy
(in Platonic thought) an eternally existing pattern of which individual things in any class are imperfect copies. Example sentencesExamples - For example, the "Form" or "Idea" of a horse is intelligible, abstract, and applies to all horses.
- The idea "cat" is simply pure "catness" which exists and moves about the world of Ideas.
- 3.1 (in Kantian thought) a concept of pure reason, not empirically based in experience.
Example sentencesExamples - In contrast, Kant calls the concepts of pure reason 'transcendental ideas.'
- Kant nonetheless takes the ideas of God, the soul, and the world to have a valid philosophical use as regulative, i.e., for guiding the direction of inquiry to be all the more encompassing in scope.
Phrases get (or give someone) ideas informal Become (or make someone) ambitious, bigheaded, or tempted to do something against someone else's will, especially make a sexual advance. Mac began to get ideas about turning pro Example sentencesExamples - Media violence just adds to the problem and gives them ideas about how to express their anger.
- It was a wedding hot spot: what if a fortnight around nauseating newlyweds gave her ideas?
- I read that to Archer, along with the part about you not sharing for fear of giving him ideas.
- ‘Don't go giving her ideas,’ he warned in a whisper.
- On second thoughts, let's not give Gordon ideas.
- According to Silberstein, there are even those who worry that his recent success as an artist will give him ideas, as though he were the Phantom of the Opera, and had suddenly decided to climb onstage and sing Tosca at the Met.
- I don't want to give them ideas, but I'm looking forward to the derby.
- I do not appreciate the rest of you saying I do either, probably giving her ideas.
- In fact, this line of argument should stop here, in case it gives them ideas.
- ‘Hey now, don't start giving her ideas,’ Matt said.
informal Not know at all. she had no idea where she was going Example sentencesExamples - I can certainly remember having no idea what we were preparing for.
- I LOVE having no idea what time it is, all the livelong day.
- In addition to having no idea what it's like to live without health coverage, I guess these folks haven't heard of public health either.
- Wanting to impress someone, but having no idea who my boss is, I headed to Ted Turner's office, who may or may not own my company.
- But there we were - passionate, engaged, and having a great time with the journey, having no idea what the destination looks like.
- The way the story is told by people who analyse Westminster for us, a landslide victory was in fact a cunning ruse culminating in millions of people all turning up at polling stations on the same day, and having no idea why they were there.
- I went into the conference having no idea what the response would be; this was, after all, the only conference I had ever been to where there was a prayer to open the banquet.
- All this time, Marlow was becoming fascinated with the idea of Kurtz - having no idea what to expect, he still felt a certain loyalty to the man.
- Perhaps one of the most notable changes was this, my foray into the blogosphere, something I began in the belief that I likely wouldn't continue for long and having no idea of the friends I would make all over the world.
- Where that idea came from she had no idea but then, she always was a bit of a dreamer.
Synonyms have no idea, not have any idea, be ignorant, not have an inkling
informal Not what someone regards as. it's not my idea of a happy ending Example sentencesExamples - Maybe I'm not your idea of what a Republican should be, but then again, you're not my idea of what a decent human being should be.
- If death-defying driving is not your idea of entertainment, why not walk along the country lanes and see how many discarded bottles of Buckfast, vodka, whisky, and gin you can count in the hedgerows.
- I am also sure than reading grammatically repulsive and humour challenged paragraphs are not your idea of weekend fun.
- That is not my idea of what constitutes an affordable afternoon.
- Or if horticulture is not your idea of a day out you can still access refreshments without paying an entrance fee.
- This is not my idea of balance, and certainly not my idea of equity.
- But watching a TV commercial on the big screen for a lot of people is not their idea of going to the movies.
- Wearing fur in the tropics is not Giroux 's idea of comfort.
- If it's not your idea of right, then you should be ashamed of your party.
- I am sure you are absolutely right about that, but your technique for cross-examining witnesses in the family court is not my idea of how it should be done.
put ideas into someone's head Suggest ambitions or thoughts that a person would not otherwise have had. Example sentencesExamples - You shouldn't say such things to the children, putting ideas into their head!
- Books about outlaws were blamed because they put ideas into his head about an exciting life of crime.
- This would happen if God were actively putting ideas into my head that, prima facie and in all cases, seemed to have some other source.
- This morning, I read several more chapters of Black Fiddle which put ideas into my head.
informal That suggestion or proposal is worth considering. Example sentencesExamples - Hey, that's an idea; I could ask Kemaya if Cleopatra could have a book of animal tongues!
- Some of these are a little disturbing: the chicken and the egg in trademark - now that's an idea!
- ‘Now that's an idea,’ Jesse nodded eagerly, ‘an obstacle course, maybe?’
- The insight that you could design small, medium, and large cups so that they all use the same size lid - that's an idea.
- Hey, that's an idea - an extension that strips all the images from Xeni's posts.
- Now that's an idea - I'll email NASA straight away!
- His eyes light up at the prospect. ‘Well now, that's an idea!’
- Hmm… well that's an idea.
- ‘Hmm. that's an idea, Veltira,’ Bayoline said.
informal Used to confirm to someone that they have understood something or they are doing something correctly. “A sort of bodyguard?” “That's the idea.” Example sentencesExamples - You'll try something, he'll say, ‘Yes, that's the idea, but maybe I want your arms to go up.’
- Well, that's the idea, but so far it hasn't worked out that way for The Donnas.
- Yep, that's the idea, he is searching for the myth that guides his life.
informal An exclamation of disapproval or disagreement. Example sentencesExamples - She was subtly moving the debate on, from jokey repartee (the very idea!) to smiling yet intransigent persistence.
- The very idea! What an outrage!
Origin Late Middle English (in idea (sense 3)): via Latin from Greek idea ‘form, pattern’, from the base of idein ‘to see’. |