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

See Examples For:

food for thought

First-estimate eurozone gross domestic product data for the second quarter on Thursday and flash estimate inflation data for July on Friday will give investors food for thought.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

In becoming the fifth youngest player to represent the Three Lions, he certainly gave Tuchel some interesting food for thought should there be injuries before the tournament starts.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

Iran’s failures as well as its successes give Beijing food for thought.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026

Ahead of Tuesday night, Scotland's limp beginning isn't so much food for thought for Clarke, it's a veritable feast, a banquet of things to fix, in tactics, in formation, in selection, in psychology.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2025

This is what fresh expressions are becoming. food for thought.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner