collect yourself/your thoughts
collect yourself/your thoughts
food for thought
an idea that makes you think seriously and carefully
The programme certainly provides plenty of food for thought.
give (somebody) pause for thought (also give (somebody) pause)
(formal) to make somebody think seriously about something or hesitate before doing something
Popular resistance to the measures should give the government pause for thought.
have second thoughts
to change your opinion after thinking about something again
You’re not having second thoughts about it, are you?
on second thoughts (British English) (North American English on second thought)
used to say that you have changed your opinion
I'll wait here. No, on second thoughts, I'll come with you.
a penny for your thoughts | a penny for them
(saying) used to ask somebody what they are thinking about
perish the thought
(informal or humorous) used to say that you find a suggestion unacceptable or that you hope that something will never happen
Me get married? Perish the thought!
school(s) of thought
a way of thinking that a number of people share
There are two schools of thought about how this illness should be treated.
He belongs to the school of thought that says that competition can be very stimulating for children.
a train of thought
the connected series of thoughts that are in your head at a particular time
The phone ringing interrupted my train of thought.
I lose my train of thought when there are distractions.
the wish is father to the thought
(saying) we believe a thing because we want it to be true
without a second thought
immediately; without stopping to think about something further
He dived in after her without a second thought.
I accepted the offer without a second thought.