put thinking cap on

put (one's) thinking cap on

To begin thinking very hard about something, especially a solution to a problem. If we all put our thinking caps on, I'm sure we can come up with a way to earn enough money to go to the baseball game this weekend. A: "Well, boss, what do you think we should do?" B: "Just let me put my thinking cap on for a minute."

See also: cap, on, put, thinking

put one's thinking cap on

Fig. to start thinking in a serious manner. (Usually used with children.) It's time to put our thinking caps on, children. All right now, let's put on our thinking caps and do some arithmetic.

See also: cap, on, put, thinking