be short of ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

'be short of ideas' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where someone is lacking creativity or inspiration for something, for example: "I'm feeling really stuck with this project - I seem to be short of ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not that he will be short of ideas on how to demystify it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, apart from a vague feeling that three mining stocks is one too many, I'm short of ideas.

The Guardian - Business

"It is clear this is a government which is short of ideas, desperately trying to bring up nonsensical diversions to distract attention from the situation in the country.

The Guardian - Books

There have never been any drugs that made me feel like I was missing out on something – and I've never been short of ideas.

The Guardian - Music

24 TV ON THE RADIO Dear Science 4AD, 2008 Angry, melancholic and fun, the Brooklyn crew have never been short of ideas.

The Guardian - Music

But if the producers of next year's flagship Today At Wimbledon show are short of ideas – and on the form book, that seems the safest of bets – might I suggest that during Inverdale's opening monologue on day one of the 2014 championships, he is literally removed from the set.

The Guardian - Sport

Constantly inviting such dangerous players as David Silva and Raheem Sterling to carry the ball into the final third does not seem the most sensible of strategies, but Manchester City were short of ideas and invention and Leicester got away with it.

The Guardian - Sport

His side were short of ideas and energy, and were out-passed and out-played.

BBC

Eventually MK, who were short of ideas all afternoon, were made to pay and it was courtesy of a moment of the highest quality.

BBC

"In terms of a recovery play, Robin is the perfect man," says Terrington, "and EMAP's never been short of ideas".

Forbes

Even in victory against Bayern Munich, they were short of ideas for much of the game and were hauled over the line by Aguero.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be short of ideas" when you want to convey a temporary lack of inspiration or creativity, especially in problem-solving or planning contexts. This suggests the possibility of finding new ideas later.

Common error

Avoid using "be short of ideas" when the real issue is a lack of information or expertise. The phrase implies a creative block, not a factual one. If the problem is a lack of knowledge, use phrases like "unfamiliar with" or "uninformed about."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be short of ideas" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a lack of creativity or inspiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. It often appears in contexts where problem-solving or innovative thinking is required.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be short of ideas" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a lack of creativity or inspiration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, remember to use the phrase to suggest a temporary creative block rather than a lack of knowledge. Consider alternatives like "lack inspiration" or "run out of ideas" for different shades of meaning. Avoid using the phrase when the issue is more about lack of information than inspiration. Overall, "be short of ideas" is a useful and versatile phrase for describing creative limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack inspiration

This alternative directly states the absence of inspiration, focusing on the internal state.

run out of ideas

This phrase suggests a depletion of ideas, implying a previously present source that has been exhausted.

lack creativity

This alternative highlights the absence of creative thinking.

find oneself uninspired

This phrase suggests a passive state of lacking inspiration, often due to external factors.

have no inspiration

A more direct way of expressing the lack of inspiring thoughts or sources.

struggle for inspiration

Implies an active but unsuccessful effort to find ideas.

hit a creative block

This idiom describes a temporary inability to generate new ideas, often in artistic contexts.

draw a blank

An informal expression indicating a failure to recall or produce any ideas.

be creatively bankrupt

A stronger term that suggests a complete absence of new and creative ideas.

lack imagination

This emphasizes the absence of inventive thought or imaginative capability.

FAQs

How can I use "be short of ideas" in a sentence?

You can use "be short of ideas" to describe a situation where someone or something is lacking inspiration or creativity, such as "The government is "short of ideas" on how to solve the economic crisis".

What's a more formal alternative to "be short of ideas"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using "lack inspiration" or "lack creativity". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What does it mean to "run out of ideas"?

To "run out of ideas" means to exhaust all available thoughts or suggestions on a particular topic. It's similar to "be short of ideas" but implies a complete depletion.

Is it better to say "short on ideas" or "short of ideas"?

"Short of ideas" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "short on ideas" might be understood, it's less frequently used and can sound slightly awkward. Thus, ""short of ideas"" is generally the preferred choice.