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Synonyms

food for thought

Idioms  

  1. 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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

If Rashford wanted to give Tuchel food for thought, his superb cross for Kane to complete his double gave the head coach plenty to digest.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025

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

Penelope had no interest in revenge, but as a person in the midst of a daring escape herself, The Count of Monte Cristo offered food for thought.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.