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someone's train of thought

Fig. someone's pattern of thinking or sequence of ideas; what one was just thinking about. (See also .) My train of thought is probably not as clear as it should be. I cannot seem to follow your train of thought on this matter. Will you explain it a little more carefully, please?

See also: thought

lose one's train of thought

Fig. to forget what one was talking or thinking about. Excuse me, I lost my train of thought. What was I talking about? Your question made the speaker lose her train of thought.

See also: lose, thought

ride the gravy train

Fig. to live in ease or luxury. 1/7 had a million dollars, I sure could ride the gravy train. I wouldn't like loafing if I were rich. I don't want to ride the gravy train.

See also: gravy, ride

train (someone or an animal) as something

to educate someone or an animal to serve in a particular way. We trained him as a first-rate mechanic. I trained my cocker spaniel as a moderately effective watchdog.

train (someone or an animal) for something

to educate someone or an animal for some purpose. His parents trained him for work in the family business. He was trained for factory work.

train someone in something

to drill and practice someone in a particular skill or body of knowledge. Her mentor trained her in the art of argumentation. I will try to train you in the skills needed to perform this task.

train someone on something

to educate someone in the use of something. We trained him on the high diving board, but he isn't ready for competition yet. She trained herself on the computer so she could write a book.

train something on (someone, something, or an animal)

to aim something at someone, something, or an animal. Dave trained the spotlight on Fred, who was just coming out of the building. Train your lens on that bush. There is a deer back there.

train for something

to practice or drill for some task. I am training for the marathon. We all have to train for the upcoming football season.

train one's sights on something and have one's sights trained on something

Fig. to have something as a goal; to direct something or oneself toward a goal. (Alludes to someone using the sights of a gun to aim it. Note plural use of sights.) You should train your sights on getting a promotion in the next year. Lisa has her sights trained on a new car.

See also: sight

train up to something

to practice or drill up to a certain level of proficiency. I don't have enough stamina for the marathon now, but I am training up to it. Alice trained up to the long-distance swim for years.

See also: up

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a train of thought

a series of connected thoughts You interrupted my train of thought - Now I can't remember what I was going to say.

See set in train

See also: thought

set in train

if you set in train an activity or an event, you make it begin His book set in train the events which eventually led to revolution.

See also: set

the gravy train

an activity from which people make a lot of money very quickly and easily A lot of people thought they'd get on the gravy train in the eighties and make some money out of property.

See also: gravy