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blue-sky thinking

British  

noun

  1. creative ideas that are not limited by current thinking or beliefs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Eskow: This may be blue-sky thinking, but it occurs to me that the progressive movement can display leadership and vision in forming that front, at a time when those qualities seem to be lacking elsewhere.

From Salon • May 27, 2025

It’s easy to criticize the company for talking up such blue-sky thinking, when the modern-day technology is so limited.

From The Verge • Oct. 16, 2018

But even blue-sky thinking didn’t anticipate the grinding pace of the nation’s recovery, and officials repeatedly found themselves reaching beyond the horizon.

From Washington Post • Dec. 23, 2015

Peter Lee, who runs the Redmond lab, says the research operation has a wide remit, from dealing with instant fixes to current products to blue-sky thinking.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2011

How about we thought-shower with some blue-sky thinking and see if we can work it out?

From The Guardian • Dec. 20, 2010

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