food for thought

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More About Food For Thought

What does food for thought mean?

The phrase food for thought refers to an idea or piece of information that’s worth pondering or thinking over.

Another way of saying this is “something to think about.”

The phrase food for thought is a metaphor: it suggests that the information that has been presented is like or should be treated like food that needs to be digested. In this way, the potentially helpful or insightful points that can be taken from the information are like nutrients that can be absorbed into the body.

Food for thought can be used to refer to any information that causes a person to think about it, as in The researchers were shocked by the results of their study and it provided them with some real food for thought.

But the phrase is perhaps most commonly used to refer to a suggestion or piece of information that’s presented to someone with the intention of getting them to change their outlook in some way. Sometimes, the speaker will even specifically call something food for thought as a way of telling the listener to really think about it.

Example: You could earn a lot more if you became certified—just some food for thought.

Where does food for thought come from?

The first records of the phrase food for thought come from the 1800s, but the word food had been used in the sense of something to think about since at least the 1600s.

Food for thought always involves something that can or should be mulled over or pondered. A synonym for those verbs is ruminate, which is based on a similar metaphor. Ruminate comes from a word that refers to the digestion process of ruminant animals like cows, in which they chew things over and over. Information that’s considered food for thought should be chewed over in one’s mind. Anything that causes you to think for a while can be called food for thought, regardless of whether it’s a serious philosophical topic or useless trivia.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for food for thought?

• something to think about
• something to consider

What are some words that share a root or word element with food for thought? 

• food
• for
• thought

What are some words that often get used in discussing food for thought?

• idea
• think
• ponder
• mull over
• consider
• information

What are some words food for thought may be commonly confused with?

• a penny for your thoughts

How is food for thought used in real life?

Food for thought is commonly used as a way for someone to suggest that you at least think about what they just said.

Food for thought next time you pick a password. | #security #cybersecurity pic.twitter.com/SffjCTg80R

— DigitalSecurityWatch (@DS_Watch) August 17, 2020

While we are on the topic of unemployment/career changes. For those out of work and/or looking for a good career path w/ job security & quality pay, think about IT.

A simple Security+ can go a long way. It did for me & opened plenty of new doors.

Just some food for thought.

— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) August 13, 2020

Sean Penn received the 2012 Peace Summit Award from a gathering of Nobel winners today & gave them food for thought http://t.co/QReqKv1Q

— Zafen (@zafen) April 25, 2012

 

 

Try using food for thought!

Is food for thought used correctly in the following sentence?

The lecture gave me a lot of food for thought—I’ve been thinking about it since it ended.