set aside the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set aside the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that someone should temporarily ignore or dismiss a particular thought or concept. Example: "In order to find a solution, we need to set aside the idea that this problem is insurmountable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They also set aside the idea of creating a Rio-style açaí bar in California, since this would put them in competition with national chains like Jamba Juice.

The New Yorker

And the commission has set aside the idea of a joint euro-zone deposit-insurance scheme because of German objections to pooling liabilities.

The Economist

A third option under consideration is to set aside the idea of pressing for passage of an energy bill this year.

The New York Times

I think that early on, I was wowed by talent, and I was willing to set aside the idea that this person might not be a team player.

The New York Times

Reid's decision was a reversal from two weeks ago, when the Nevada Democrat appeared inclined to set aside the idea -- among the most divisive in the reform debate -- in an attempt to avoid alienating party moderates.

The Washington Post

Even if you set aside the idea that Trump's comments were either racist or beyond the pale when it comes to the parents of a fallen soldier, politically it's a no-brainer.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"You either say you don't govern, or you set aside the ideas that you or your party campaigned on for two straight election victories, and say, 'O.K., we'll do what you guys want to do.' I mean, it just makes no sense".

The New York Times

Minghella wisely sets aside the idea of approximating cinematic sprawl onstage; he listens for each structural shift in the score and finds a simple, self-sufficient illustration of it.

The New Yorker

Set aside the question of whether the idea would appease critics, or should be necessary; if they build it, who would come?

The New York Times

"The idea is you set aside the time to do it," he adds.

HuffPost

Set aside the turkey.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set aside the idea", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the dismissal is temporary or permanent to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "set aside the idea" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "disregard the concept" or "shelve the notion" to maintain reader engagement and convey precise nuances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set aside the idea" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest a temporary or permanent dismissal of a particular thought, concept, or plan. It is frequently used to redirect focus during discussions or problem-solving, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set aside the idea" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that suggests temporarily ignoring or dismissing a thought or concept. Ludwig AI confirms this and as seen with Ludwig's examples, it often appears in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives when appropriate to avoid overuse. Remember to vary your writing by using synonyms such as "disregard the idea" or "shelve the notion" to maintain reader engagement. Be aware of overuse and always guarantee the reader is clear about the temporary/permanent nature of said dismissal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disregard the idea

Directly suggests ignoring or dismissing the concept.

dismiss the notion

Formally rejects an idea as untrue or unworthy of consideration.

shelve the idea

Implies putting the idea on hold, possibly for later consideration.

reject the concept

Expresses a firm refusal to accept or agree with the concept.

discount the thought

Minimizes the importance or relevance of a particular thought or consideration.

abandon the idea

Suggests a complete rejection of the idea, with no intention of revisiting it.

drop the plan

Indicates stopping a particular plan.

forget about the idea

Informally suggests ceasing to think about a certain idea.

rule out the possibility

Eliminates the chance or likelihood of something being considered.

rethink the premise

Suggests critically re-evaluating the initial basis or assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "set aside the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "set aside the idea" to suggest that a particular thought or concept should be temporarily ignored or dismissed. For example, "Let's "set aside the idea" of cost for a moment and focus on the potential benefits."

What can I say instead of "set aside the idea"?

Alternatives to "set aside the idea" include "disregard the idea", "shelve the idea", or "abandon the idea", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "set aside the idea"?

It's appropriate to use "set aside the idea" when you want to indicate that a certain concept should be temporarily dismissed for the purpose of discussion, problem-solving, or decision-making.

Is "set aside the idea" formal or informal?

"Set aside the idea" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider using alternatives like "dismiss the notion" or "reject the concept" for a more elevated tone.