thinking cap

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noun

a state of mind marked by reflection or concentration: If we put on our thinking caps, we may come up with the answer.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of thinking cap

First recorded in 1870–75

While Huckabee is thinking about his run for president, I thought it was time to think about Huckabee.
The Devil in Mike Huckabee|Dean Obeidallah|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the ads are not just intended to remind the Google-curious that Paul exists and is thinking about running for president.
Rand Paul’s Passive-Aggressive Trolling Campaign|Olivia Nuzzi|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Each CAP, also known as an “orbit,” consists on four aircraft.
Exclusive: U.S. Drone Fleet at ‘Breaking Point,’ Air Force Says|Dave Majumdar|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In fact, Clark fell back first from her blows, losing his cap, tie, and badge in the melee.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

It is hard to feel attached to where you are if you are always thinking of where you have been or where you are going.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I do not care very much how you censor or select the reading and talking and thinking of the schoolboy or schoolgirl.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
He, with others, thinking the miss-sahib had gone to church, was smoking the hookah of gossip in a neighboring compound.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
He desired his secretary to go to the devil, but, thinking better of it, he recalled him as he reached the door.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
But you are mistaken in thinking the force west consists of the entire Merrill Horse.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Bernard sat thinking for a long time; at first with a good deal of mortification—at last with a good deal of bitterness.
Confidence|Henry James

thinking cap

see put on one's thinking cap.