Phrases.com »

Phrases related to: idea

Yee yee! We've found 116 phrases and idioms matching idea.

Sort:RelevancyA - Z
you have no ideaYou have no idea is a casual phrase used to respond to someone commenting on your difficult circumstances.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
abstract ideaAn idea separated from a complex object, or from other ideas which naturally accompany it; as the solidity of marble when contemplated apart from its color or figure.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
abstract ideaUsed other than as an idiom: see abstract, idea.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
what's the big ideaWhat is the purpose?Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
what's the big ideaUsed to express surprise or dissatisfaction with an action or statement of another, especially the person spoken to.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
a little knowledge is a dangerous thingThe proverb 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing' expresses the idea that a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are, which can lead to mistakes being made.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
Ballpark FigureTo give a rough estimate or an idea of anythingRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
build castles in the airTo imagine visionary projects or schemes; to daydream; to have an idle fancy, a pipe dream or any plan, desire, or idea that is unlikely to be realized.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
circle backTo revisit a topic, concept or idea after having put it on the back burner; to return to a place or locationRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
elevator pitchA concise way to introduce yourself, business, or idea to strangersRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
give birthTo invent a new idea.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
God is in the detailExpresses the idea that whatever one does should be done thoroughly; i.e. details are important.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
hang your hat on thatAssume or take credit for an idea, suggestion, phrase, development, creation, invention, proclamation, prediction, accomplishment, result, acceptance at large for your creation, art.performance et al:Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
how do you say...in EnglishCommon phrase used to ask how to express an idea or translate a word, often in a foreign language.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
no harm, no foulEncapsulation of the idea that although technically a breach of some code or law may have occurred there is no need for punishment, apology or retribution if no actual damage occurred.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
now we’re talkingSynonym of now you’re talking; that’s good news, that’s a good plan or idea; that’s what I wanted to hearRate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
on boardin agreement especially with an idea or project; to approve of an idea or projectRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
test of timeThe correlation of longevity with validity of an idea or trend.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
thirsty thursdayA Thursday description when adding an adult drink to the mix is a good idea.Rate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
put something into perspectiveTo compare with something similar to give a clearer, more accurate idea.Rate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
flight of fancyAn idea, narrative, suggestion, etc. which is extremely imaginative and which appears to be entirely unrealistic, untrue, or impractical; thinking which is very speculative.Rate it:

(3.67 / 3 votes)
bee in one's bonnetan idea, which is thought to be crazy or exciting; someone’s particular interest, concern or obsession with somethingRate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
bird of one's own brainOne's own idea or conception.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
existimatio hominum, omniumthe common opinion, the general idea.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
no good deed goes unpunishedUsed to express the idea that beneficial actions often go unappreciated or are met with outright hostility.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
run byTo inform someone briefly of the main points of an idea.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
run something up the flagpoleTo float an idea that one suspects might be controversial.Rate it:

(3.00 / 2 votes)
second-guessto vet or evaluate; to criticize or correct, often by hindsight, by presuming to have a better idea, method, etc.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
tart upTo modify or repackage a product, service, or idea to make it more attractive or easier to sell.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
angel's advocateSomeone who sees what's good about an idea and supports it.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
dog in the huntThis is often used erroneously to indicate that one has no stake in the outcome. As such this is a bastardization of two Southern idioms: "no dog in the fight," and "that dog won't hunt." (The latter indicates something is a bad idea or prone to fail.) Use of the phrase "no dog in the hunt" when one wishes to indicate they have no "dog in the fight" will generate funny glances from any Southerners who overhear it.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspirationThis is a famous quote attributed to Thomas Edison, a famous and prolific American inventor. The idea that hard work is the most important aspect of new inventions existed before Edison gave his quote, however.Rate it:

(1.00 / 2 votes)
nod's as good as a wink to a blind batThe idea/proposed action is inconsequential to the current situation.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
animo concipere aliquidto form an idea of a thing, imagine, conceive.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
animo, cogitatione aliquid fingere (or simply fingere, but without sibi), informareto form an idea of a thing, imagine, conceive.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
autor intelectualDícese de quien es autor de una idea, pero que no es él quien la lleva a la práctica, sino otros.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
avoir la berlue (fam.)To see things which do not exist; To have a wrong idea of anything.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
backpedalTo distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
Bark Up the Wrong TreeTo have a wrong guess or idea about someone or some situation, efforts and attentions being diverted in a wrong directionRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
beat upTo get something done, derived from the idea of beating for game.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
beats meI don't know; I have no idea.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
boys and their toysUsed to evoke the idea that adult men sometimes dote excessively on machines, automobiles, and gadgets in a childish manner.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
build a better mousetrapTo invent the next great thing; to have a better idea.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
cash outTo explain what is entailed by an idea or proposition.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
cash outTo exchange possession of any commodity or idea for cash.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
castle in the airA visionary project or scheme; a day-dream; an idle fancy; a pipe dream; any plan, desire, or idea that is unlikely to be ever realized; a near impossibility.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
catch someone's driftIf you catch someone's drift (or get someone's drift) it means you understand what they mean; this phrase is used especially when you want to get an idea across to someone but you don't want to exactly speak the words you mean or if you think the listener may be confused about what you meanRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
conjure up  To generate (an image or an idea) in one's mind.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
cut to the quickTo get to the most essential idea or point.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
dieu nous garde d'un homme qui n'a qu'une affaireGod save us from the man of one idea.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)

We need you!

Help us build the largest human-edited phrases collection on the web!

Alternative searches for idea:

Quiz

Are you a phrases master?

»
Here's my two __________.
A thoughts
B cents
C words
D pence