food-for-thought
/ˌfuːd fə ˈθɔːt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Something that gives you a useful idea to think about. It is often a statement, fact, or event that makes you reflect.
- Her story was real food for thought.
- The report gave us food for thought.
- His question was food for thought.
Adinary Nuance
Food for thought is lighter and more casual than terms like "insight" or "consideration." Use it when something starts reflection, but does not yet give a full answer. It often sounds thoughtful and conversational in speech or writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- điều đáng suy ngẫm
- Spanish
- algo para pensar
- Chinese
- 值得思考的事
- Japanese
- 考えさせること
- Korean
- 생각해 볼 거리
Etymology
The phrase comes from ordinary English words used together as a fixed expression. It became common in modern English as a way to describe an idea worth thinking about.
Common phrases
gave me food for thoughtplenty of food for thoughta piece of food for thought
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is food for thought formal or informal?
- It is neutral and often sounds conversational. It is fine in writing, talks, and everyday speech.
- Is food for thought the same as insight?
- Not exactly. Insight is a clearer understanding, while food for thought is something that makes you think more.
- Can I use food for thought in academic writing?
- Yes, but use it carefully. It is better for discussion sections or reflective writing than for strict formal reports.
- How do I use food for thought in a sentence?
- Use it after an idea, comment, or event that makes people reflect. For example: "The debate gave us food for thought."