conceive of

conceive of (someone or something)

To think of someone or something, often in a particular way. Considering her lack of patience, I have a really hard time conceiving of her as a kindergarten teacher. Leave it to Ben to conceive of a totally ridiculous plan. I don't think management conceives of me as a leader, and I bet that's why I didn't get the promotion.

See also: conceive, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

conceive of someone or something

to think of or invent the notion of someone or something. Who on earth ever conceived of doing this? Edison conceived of many very useful things that we now use every day.

See also: conceive, of

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.