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to think out

to think out

45 3.9
To plan something carefully before you do it
  • phrasal verb
  • /θɪŋk aʊt/
  • Informal
translation icon : planear
  • Before making a decision, I always take time to think out all the possible options.
  • a well thought-out plan
  • a carefully thought-out plan
  • think out a plan

It's not particularly thought out, it's not reflective.

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Examples

  • I'm more aware now, and I feel more confident about teaching because I have thought out the lessons in advance.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Leaders implement carefully thought-out programs that move a culture or society toward desired goals.

    Academic text (1992)
  • - All this artwork and detail, it's really well thought out.

  • Without completely thinking out the consequences, I took the book home to the alien.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Further, the interventions were carefully thought out and are well described.

    Academic text (1994)
  • There is some indication that such programs can be successful when well thought out and executed.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The student's justifications for the inclusion of the pieces must be well thought out and clearly explained.

    Academic text (1997)
  • The fractions program was well thought out and used sound teaching concepts.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Experts also say companies need to have well-thought-out records retention policies that take into account any obligations relating to discovery.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Close the implementation gap between Connecticut high schools in delivering to all students well-designed and well-thought-out comprehensive school counseling programs.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

to think about
vsto think out
1.0

To give attention to something in your mind

is more thorough and organized, aiming to produce concrete actions
to plan
vsto think out
1.0

To decide and arrange in advance how to do something

emphasizes thorough preaction design focused on details of execution
to consider
vsto think out
1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

is more concerned with producing a detailed course of action
to work out
vsto think out
950 2.8

To find a solution or plan by thinking carefully

is more forward looking, producing a prepared course of action beforehand
to contemplate
vsto think out
186 4.8

To think deeply about something for a long time

aims more at producing a workable sequence to implement ideas
to ponder
vsto think out
134 4.3

Think carefully for a long time about something

is shorter and more directed toward planning actual execution
to think twice
vsto think out
  • Informal
107 3.6

Carefully consider something before you act to avoid a mistake

is more proactive, involving full preparation rather than a safety check
to think it through
vsto think out
  • Informal
105 3.2

To look at all the details and what may happen before you decide

focuses more on forming a clear step by step approach before acting
to think up
vsto think out
48 3.2

To make up an idea, plan, or excuse

is focused on careful preparation and practical steps rather than invention
to deliberate
vsto think out
43 4.4

To think about something very carefully before deciding

leans more toward making detailed arrangements for how to proceed
to premeditate
vsto think out
  • Formal
39 8.1

To think about and plan something before doing it, often a harmful act

is general careful planning without implying intent for serious or harmful acts
to map out
vsto think out
  • Informal
34 3.7

Plan something carefully in detail before doing it

is more about careful thought that leads to specific steps rather than layouts
to mull over
vsto think out
19 4.0

To think carefully about something before deciding

is more practical, aiming to produce specific steps to follow
to think over
vsto think out
8 3.0

To look at something carefully before deciding

is more about creating a concrete plan rather than only reviewing details
to reason out
vsto think out
3 4.8

To think carefully to find an answer to a problem

is broader, including practical planning and not only logical deduction
to ponder over
vsto think out
1 4.1

To think carefully about something for a long time

is more focused on creating clear actions rather than long reflection
to game out
vsto think out
  • Informal
1 7.2

Think about different possible situations to plan what to do

is broader, covering careful planning even without running scenario simulations
to excogitate
vsto think out
  • Formal
9.9

To think very carefully to find a new idea or solution

is practical and goal oriented rather than purely inventive reflection
to dope out
vsto think out
  • Informal
8.8

To find a plan or solution by thinking carefully

is more formal and systematic, aiming for a complete actionable plan

How Thorough

to iron out
22 3.8
to think out
  • Informal
45 3.9
plan
1.0

Surface Forms

think out infinitive
thinking out present participle
thinks out third person singular
thought out past participle

Morphology

think + out

The meaning 'to consider or plan something carefully' is partly derivable from combining 'think' (to deliberate) with the particle 'out', which often adds a sense of completeness or thoroughness; however, the exact phrasal-verb sense relies on knowledge of this particle use and may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without prior exposure. Cross-linguistically, many languages use a similar completive/through particle, so the relation is noticeable but not entirely transparent.

Etymology

The phrasal verb think out comes from the simple image of pulling a thought out of your head, with think as the mind work and out as bringing it into the open to look at it from every side. That's why it means 'to consider or plan something carefully' before you act.