idea (redirected from give ideas)

*bright idea

a clever thought or new idea. (*Typically: have ~; get ~; give someone ~.) Now and then I get a bright idea. John hardly ever gets a bright idea.

See also: bright

*rough idea (about something) and *rough idea (of something)

a general idea; an estimate. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I need to get a rough idea of how many people will be there. I'll manage to get a rough idea. That's good enough.

See also: rough

flirt with the idea of doing something

Fig. to think about doing something; to toy with an idea; to consider something, but not too seriously. (See also flirt with someone.) I flirted with the idea of going to Europe for two weeks. Jane flirted with the idea of quitting her job.

See also: doing, flirt

put ideas into someone's head

Fig. to suggest something-usually something bad-to someone (who would not have thought of it otherwise). Bill keeps getting into trouble. Please don't put ideas into his head. Bob would get along all right if other kids didn't put ideas into his head.

See also: head, put

The very idea!

I do not approve!; That is outrageous! Resignation? The very idea! The very idea! Absolutely not!

See also: very

What's the (big) idea?

Inf. Why did you do that? (Usually said in anger.) Please don't do that! What's the idea? Why did you shove me? What's the big idea?

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put ideas into somebody's head

to make someone want to do something they had not thought about doing before, especially something stupid (often in continuous tenses) Don't go putting ideas into his head. We haven't got the money for a car. Who put all these ideas into her head about becoming an actress?

See also: head, put

What's the big idea?  (informal)

something that you say when you want to know why someone has done something that annoys you What's the big idea? That's my lunch you're eating.

See think big, as large as life, make great play of

See also: big

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float an idea

to suggest something informally to see if people accept it or are interested in it The mayor originally floated the idea, and it was quickly taken up by a number of city agencies.

Related vocabulary: test the waters

See also: float

not have the faintest idea also not have the foggiest idea

to not know anything at all about something not have the foggiest notion I didn't have the faintest idea where I was or which way I was going – I simply knew I had to get away. These people don't have the foggiest idea what America's really like.

Usage notes: also used in the forms I have no idea and I haven't the slightest idea

See also: faint, have