idea - thesaurus entry

phrases

• get the idea

  informal
  to understand something, often something that is not expressed directly

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  To understand something: understand, know, work out, comprehend, deduce, make sense of something, fall/fit into place, see the light, get the idea, have a feel for something... more

• get ideas

  mainly spoken
  1. 1

     to start to believe things that are not true

     *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

     To believe or accept that something is true or exists: think, believe in, suppose, suspect, assume, recognize, presume, imagine, reckon, be a great/firm believer in something... more
  2. 2

     to plan something that someone will not like or allow

     *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

     To make a secret plan: conspire, scheme, connive, plot, hatch, collude, intrigue, be in league with someone, get ideas... more

• get the wrong idea

  informal
  to believe something that is not true

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  To believe or accept that something is true or exists: think, believe in, suppose, suspect, assume, recognize, presume, imagine, reckon, be a great/firm believer in something... more

• have an idea

  to be fairly certain about something, but not completely certain

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  To be uncertain: question, doubt, be in doubt, have second thoughts (about something), um and ah, have mixed feelings about something, have an idea... more

• have the right idea

  informal
  if you say that someone has the right idea, you think that what they are doing is right or good

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  Ways of praising someone or something: (nuff) props to someone, well done, good boy/girl, bravo, compliments to someone, that’s the way, good thinking, you’re a genius, boy, let’s hear it for... more

• it’s a good idea to do something

  used for giving someone advice about what they should do

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  Ways of warning or advising someone: beware, look out, watch it, end in tears, look before you leap, too many cooks (spoil the broth), it’s a good idea to do something, you can’t be too careful, don’t you dare, if I were you... more

• put ideas into someone’s head

  informal
  to make someone think that they can or should do something, especially something that other people do not approve of

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  To encourage someone to do or to not do something: encourage, persuade, convince, motivate, urge on, spur, entice, prod, dissuade, prevail on... more

• that’s an idea

  spoken
  used for saying that you think what someone has suggested is good

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  Ways of praising someone or something: (nuff) props to someone, well done, good boy/girl, bravo, compliments to someone, that’s the way, good thinking, you’re a genius, boy, let’s hear it for... more

• that’s the idea

  spoken
  used for telling someone that they are doing something correctly or well

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  Ways of praising someone or something: (nuff) props to someone, well done, good boy/girl, bravo, compliments to someone, that’s the way, good thinking, you’re a genius, boy, let’s hear it for... more

• where did you get that idea?

  spoken
  used for telling someone that what they think is definitely not true

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  Ways of emphasizing that something is not true or likely: hardly, scarcely, actually, anything but, neither...nor (...nor), no such thing, not think for a minute/moment (that), in no/not in any way, shape, or form, far from it, nothing could be farther from the truth... more

• you have no idea

  spoken
  used for emphasizing how bad or good something is

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of idea*

  Ways of emphasizing how good or bad something is: ultimate, unbelievable, unadulterated, conspicuous, with/without distinction, like nothing on earth, not...anything better/worse, there’s nothing better, worse, more exciting etc. than, couldn’t be better/worse/nicer etc., of your life... more