flight of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flight of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or imaginative idea that comes to mind, often in a creative or abstract context. Example: "During the meeting, she took a flight of thought that led to an innovative solution for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Here it is, the reason that I wrote down this flight of thought and took you on this narrative zigzag.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not that his characters escape from their impoverishment in flights of thought or imagination.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ouramdane also speaks — in French, rapidly, quietly and with minimal expressive inflection — collages of poetic, near-random, part-absurd flights of thought.

The New York Times - Arts

She told him he wrote better letters than Henry James (which was sometimes true) and that his prose reminded her of Turgenev; he, entranced by the sparkle and erratic flight of her thoughts, thought she outranked Virginia Woolf as a correspondent.

The New York Times - Books

Children with SMD also exhibit ADHD- and mania-like symptoms, including 3 of the following: insomnia, intrusiveness, pressured speech, flight of ideas/racing thoughts, distractibility, and psychomotor agitation [ 28].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

13 SMD patients had abnormal baseline mood (anger or sadness), hyper reactivity to negative emotional stimuli (e.g., explosive, developmentally inappropriate outbursts at least 3 times/week), and hyperarousal (≥3 of insomnia, intrusiveness, pressured speech, flight of ideas/racing thoughts, distractibility, psychomotor agitation).

Depression and Anxiety

The Concorde prototype was assembled in Toulouse but Turcat later acknowledged that not everything had been run perfectly during the run-up to the first flight: "Sadly, the lack of thought and industrial organisation between the French and British aircraft manufacturers when the 1962 inter-governmental agreement was signed, in my view, lost us three years in getting the aircraft into operation".

Independent

Sometimes these glimpses came through dreams or flights of fanciful thoughts that whispered in your head – I will be a pilot, or the president of Nigeria, rich man, own helicopters – for the future was what we made of it.

The Guardian - Books

As the American soldiers he had been walking with rushed toward him and began tightening the tourniquets that would save his life, a fuller line of thought took flight.

The New York Times

A program note declared that Ms. Miller's "Aerodigm" concerned "the flight of an idea, the risk of thought, the surprise of invention".

The New York Times - Arts

Would you be more inclined to take the stairs if it was more fun to do? Let's watch an experiment carried out in Stockholm where people were given the choice of going up and down an escalator or a really awesome flight of musical stairs: Your thoughts?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flight of thought" to describe a sudden, imaginative idea or a series of related thoughts that branch out in creative directions. It's effective in literary contexts or when discussing innovative thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "flight of thought" to simply mean random or disorganized thinking. It suggests a degree of creativity or inspiration, not just a lack of focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flight of thought" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the abstract concept of a sudden or imaginative series of thoughts. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flight of thought" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and imaginative burst of ideas. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, though it is important to maintain consistency. While "train of thought" implies linear thinking, "flight of thought" conveys a more creative and less structured mental process. It's found most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. Remember to use it to suggest creativity rather than mere randomness. Alternatives like "burst of inspiration" or "creative impulse" may be used depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

Refers to a sequence of connected ideas or mental associations, suggesting a more linear progression of thinking compared to the more erratic nature implied by "flight of thought".

stream of consciousness

Describes the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings in the mind, often used in literature to depict a character's inner monologue, implying less control than "flight of thought".

burst of inspiration

Highlights the sudden and creative aspect of an idea, emphasizing its inspirational origin compared to the broader mental activity suggested by "flight of thought".

fleeting thought

Emphasizes the transient and temporary nature of a thought, highlighting its short duration compared to the more sustained exploration possibly implied by "flight of thought".

whim

Indicates a sudden desire or change of mind, suggesting a more impulsive origin than the potentially more reasoned or imaginative nature of a "flight of thought".

creative impulse

Focuses on the creative drive behind a thought, suggesting artistic or innovative intent compared to the general mental exploration in "flight of thought".

wandering mind

Suggests a lack of focus and a tendency for thoughts to drift aimlessly, differing from the possibly purposeful direction implied in "flight of thought".

mental excursion

Implies a deliberate and planned exploration of ideas, contrasting with the potentially spontaneous and unplanned nature of a "flight of thought".

free association

Describes a process of generating ideas by spontaneously connecting words or concepts, highlighting its associative nature compared to the broader mental activity suggested by "flight of thought".

daydream

Implies a state of being lost in pleasant thoughts or fantasies, differing from the potentially more focused or imaginative nature of a "flight of thought".

FAQs

How can I use "flight of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "flight of thought" to describe a sudden, imaginative idea or a series of related thoughts that branch out creatively. For instance, "During the brainstorming session, she experienced a "flight of thought" that led to a breakthrough idea".

What is the difference between "flight of thought" and "train of thought"?

"Flight of thought" implies a more erratic and imaginative series of ideas, while "train of thought" suggests a more linear and logical progression. A "train of thought" is generally more focused and less prone to sudden diversions.

What can I say instead of "flight of thought"?

Alternatives include "burst of inspiration", "creative impulse", or "stream of consciousness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each term highlights different aspects of thinking and creativity.

Is "flight of thought" a common expression?

While not as common as "train of thought", "flight of thought" is a recognized and accepted expression, particularly in literary or creative contexts. Its usage suggests a more imaginative or less structured thinking process compared to more conventional phrases.