Thoughts, conclusions and decisions

Here belong such colloquial phrases in common use: to put on one's thinking cap — to consider; to meditate on a special problem

I must put on my thinking cap, before I can take a decision. (K. H.)

It's no good asking me now. I've got to put on my thinking cap. I want to get to the bottom of this affair. (R. K.)

to think something over — to consider it, to reflect upon it

"While you were away, I thought it over, " she went on. (M. W.)

Sister, I've been thinking things over and I've made up my mind to go. (A. C.)

to play (toy) with the idea — to give it some consid­eration but to be undecided whether to adopt it; to allow the mind to think about (but not in a serious way)

I'm toying with the idea of spending next winter on a lecture tour overseas. (W. B.) He played with the idea of calling the man, as if his voice could have some mystic significance. (M. W.)

put that in your pipe and smoke it — accept and consider the statement

"Well, she's never coming here again, I tell you that straight."

"That's what you think. I'm engaged to her, so put that in your pipe and smoke it." (S. M.) "I don't know what you're talking about, " he said, "but you're insulting Lady Rayle. And since you know so much, you might just as well put it in your pipe and smoke it." (Ch. D.) If you don't take your training serious, I'll take you off the team; you can put that in your pipe and smoke it (K. H.)

to put two and two together — -to judge or guess the sig­nificance of pieces of information or evidence; to form an opinion or conclusion after considering fact

Did you not put two and two together, and re­flect that it was not Alfred Inglethorp who was quarreling with his wife? (A. Chr.) "I have no definite proof of course, but I can put two and two together, " replied Miss Moir coldly. (A. C.)

So Joe and I put two and two together and fig­ured Charlie must have discovered what was going on. (R. K.)

Since the ball at Roger's he had seen too clearly how the land lay — he could put two and two to­gether quicker than most men. (J. G.)

of the evidence is expressed by the

But afterwards in the drawing-room she sat down by Mrs. Small determined to get to the bottom of the matter. (J. G.)

It's jolly hard to get to the bottom of it. (J. G.) Mrs Babbington, I want to get to the bottom of this I want to find out the truth. (A. Chr.) 1 think we shall get to the bottom of this af­fair. (J. F.)

To dissolve any doubts about a conclusion or judgement,

it may be necessary:

to check up on it — to make certain by checking

Any time you want to check up on it, call up

Senator Holtzer at the Senate Office Building

in Washington. (M. W.)

After all, it was her treat and she didn't want to

share it with anyone. So she decided to check

up on things first. (N. C.)

We shall have to check up on that, of course.

(A. Chr.)

This morning he decided to check up on the thing

himself... (S. H.)

to think twice about doing something — to think carefully whether to do it or not; to avoid hasty action

But one or two members of the society have put an interesting point of views which has made me think twice before saying no once and for

all. (C. S.)

"Queer, " he thought. "If she were plain I shouldn't be thinking twice about it. Beauty is the devil when you're sensitive to it!". (J. G.)

on second thoughts - after deliberation

Mr Faynes turned back towards the house. On a second thought, he went to the Lodge in­stead, and sat down to write a letter... (V. L.)

"The day has been too much for her." "Seems so, " Yates agreed. Women cracked easily. On second thoughts he felt that this wasn't the answer, that there must be something more behind her hys­teria. (S. H.)

Wisdom of careful thinking and caution is summed up

in the proverb:

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