Idiom
think outside the box
Meanings
To use creative, unconventional thinking to solve a problem or generate new ideas.
Definition
To think outside the box means to use creative, unconventional ideas to solve a problem.
To think outside the box means to approach a situation in a new and imaginative way instead of using the usual methods. It often involves challenging assumptions and trying surprising solutions. People use it at work, in school, and in daily life when standard answers are not enough.
Examples
- We need to think outside the box if we want to cut costs without layoffs.
- Her coach told her to think outside the box and change her training routine.
- Try to think outside the box when you design the marketing campaign.
- The best engineers think outside the box when a project hits a dead end.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.