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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

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Think thick

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence No, the phrase "think thick" is not correct or usable in written English.
However, the phrase "think big" is a commonly used idiom which means to have ambitious ideas and plans. For example, "He's got a lot of potential, so I want him to think big and reach his goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Think thick walls, slit windows and a listening hole called the "lairds lug".

Think thick black glasses, pinstriped suits with skinny ties, sweater vests, and pocket protectors -- a hipster vibe with a nerdy edge".

News & Media

Huffington Post

I don't think thick skin is a good thing to have in this profession.

News & Media

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Think Ben Elthickonly thick, only with a better story.

The device is large — think a thick Nomad — but the device sports a top-mounted SNES cartridge slot and a rechargeable battery around back.

News & Media

TechCrunch

("I went in there to get a steak one time," he said, "and I think the thickest steak they had was a quarter inch").

News & Media

The New York Times

For example, the utterance "kore wa futoi yo" ("this is thick") accompanied by breathiness (Figure 8(b)) can be interpreted as "this is really thick" or "I really think this is thick".

You'd have thought The Thick of It would have given politics' backroom boys a degree of self-awareness.

"It's an authentic, heavy-duty thing," said Barrie Mandel, the director of sales for Corcoran Group Marketing, pointing out the black fixtures in the powder room tiled in dark purple (strangely cool, I thought), the thick slab of a wood dining table, and the quirky glass chandelier ("bought on eBay," Ms. Mandel said) that hangs in the center of the master bedroom.

News & Media

The New York Times

I don't think Jim Kerr is thick.

"I don't think footballers are thick.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a detailed or complex idea, opt for more conventional phrases like "consider deeply" or "ponder thoroughly" for clarity and better communication.

Common error

Using non-idiomatic or unconventional phrases such as "think thick" can confuse readers. Always prioritize clarity by using standard English idioms and expressions.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think thick" does not have a well-defined grammatical function in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as unconventional, suggesting it does not follow standard grammatical rules. The intended function might be to emphasize thorough consideration, but the phrasing is non-idiomatic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "think thick" is not a standard or grammatically correct expression in English. Ludwig AI identifies it as unconventional, and its intended meaning—to consider something deeply or thoroughly—is better conveyed through established idioms like "ponder deeply" or "analyze comprehensively". While some examples exist across various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, its rarity and lack of grammatical clarity suggest avoiding this phrase in favor of more standard alternatives. Using such alternatives ensures clearer and more effective communication.

FAQs

How can I express the need for in-depth consideration?

Instead of "think thick", consider using phrases like "ponder deeply", "analyze thoroughly", or "consider carefully" to convey the need for a comprehensive evaluation.

What's a more appropriate phrase than "think thick" for detailed analysis?

Better alternatives include "think critically", "analyze comprehensively", or "examine in detail". These phrases clearly communicate the need for a thorough investigation.

Is there a situation where "think thick" is grammatically correct?

The phrase "think thick" is not generally considered grammatically correct in standard English. Using established idioms ensures clearer communication.

How can I rephrase "think thick" to emphasize detailed planning?

For detailed planning, try "plan elaborately", "strategize comprehensively", or "prepare meticulously" rather than "think thick".

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: