Synonyms

food for thought

Idioms

An idea or issue to ponder, as in That interesting suggestion of yours has given us food for thought. This metaphoric phrase, transferring the idea of digestion from the stomach to mulling something over in the mind, dates from the late 1800s, although the idea was also expressed somewhat differently at least three centuries earlier.

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.

But it also contains this tidbit, food for thought today:

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

He also has other options in that coveted position which he will get the opportunity to explore in these friendlies - the players' last chances to give Tuchel food for thought.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The Celtic manager agreed several players have given him "food for thought".

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

What is “Love is Blind” if not food for thought about your own desires and must-haves in a relationship?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

But it was food for thought: effective rhetoric need not always be fancy rhetoric.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023