fleeting ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

'fleeting ideas' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to ideas that pass quickly or don't last long. Example Sentence: Our discussion was filled with fleeting ideas, none of which seemed to stick.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not a fleeting idea.

TechCrunch

While some will push for strict regulations and tighter privacy and security, others will maintain that personal freedoms are more important than a fleeting idea of safety.

TechCrunch

While you're at it, how about you don't enforce your own fleeting idea of cool on them either?

Vice

Her mind is constantly whirring, she said, forcing her to carry a pen and paper even to the grocery store so as to document every fleeting idea.

Los Angeles Times

She worked for months on different concepts that could bring the popular Instagram account to life, including, a fleeting idea for a pop-up installation in Atlanta.

Vice

Love Wins?" I had a fleeting idea that maybe she really worked at the Starbucks next door, and just happened to wander behind the counter in search of a novelty key chain or $6.99 blank book.

Huffington Post

Cosmo says: "Ask something like 'Hmmm, do you think this countertop would be the right height for me to straddle you?' then wander off as if it were just a fleeting idea".

Vice

Ideas happen anywhere, and you want to be able to capture those oft-fleeting ideas before they escape you like that dream you had the other night about...um...it was...uh...well it was really good at the time!

WikiHow

He always carried a pad and a pencil in his coat pocket to catch the fleeting musical ideas he called "jots".

The New Yorker

"My brain is so fleeting, and ideas are really hard to grasp, so painting little glimpses into larger potential storylines helps the viewer tell themselves the missing parts".

Vice

In a time when the anti-government forces got a little too close to being "in charge" of Congress during the $24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz 24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz 24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz 24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz 24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz 24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz 24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz 24bn-in-lost-revenues-courtesy-of-Ted-Cruz

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting ideas" when describing moments of insight that are quickly forgotten if not immediately recorded.

Common error

While it's tempting to disregard quick or seemingly incomplete thoughts, remember that even "fleeting ideas" can contain the seed of a valuable concept. Take note of them and revisit them later.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting ideas" functions as a noun phrase, where "fleeting" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "ideas". It describes the characteristic of the ideas, indicating their transient nature.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting ideas" accurately describes thoughts that are temporary and quickly vanish. Grammatically, it's a simple noun phrase consisting of an adjective modifying a noun. While Ludwig has no direct examples of the phrase, its meaning is clear and its usage is appropriate in various contexts, particularly when discussing creativity or capturing quick insights. Remember that these ideas, though "fleeting", can be valuable, so it's wise to have methods for recording them before they disappear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting thoughts

Direct synonym, focusing on the momentary nature of the thoughts.

temporary ideas

Emphasizes the short duration of the ideas.

transient ideas

Highlights the temporary nature and brief existence of the ideas.

ephemeral ideas

Stresses the short-lived and almost dreamlike quality of the ideas.

passing thoughts

Focuses on the act of thoughts quickly moving through the mind.

short-lived ideas

Emphasizes the brief existence of the ideas.

momentary notions

Highlights that the ideas are just brief mental impressions.

brief inspirations

Focuses on the short duration and creative spark of the ideas.

evanescent concepts

Underscores the rapid fading and insubstantiality of the concepts.

unstable notions

Highlights that the ideas are uncertain or inconsistent.

FAQs

How can I effectively capture my "fleeting ideas"?

Keep a notebook, use voice recording apps, or create digital notes on your phone to quickly document /s/ephemeral+ideas before they disappear.

What are some synonyms for "fleeting ideas"?

You can use phrases like "transient ideas", /s/temporary+ideas, or /s/passing+thoughts depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "fleeting ideas" in writing?

Use it when you want to emphasize the brief and transient nature of thoughts or concepts, such as in discussions about creativity, innovation, or problem-solving.

How do "fleeting ideas" differ from more developed or concrete ideas?

"Fleeting ideas" are characterized by their short duration and lack of elaboration, whereas developed ideas are more thoroughly considered and detailed. One may consider capturing such ideas before using alternatives like /s/temporary+ideas.