Thoughts & Assumptions: English Vocabulary List

said as a response to another person's confident statement that one believes will be proven wrong in the end

"Famous last words indeed."

"He boasted that he would finish the marathon easily, but those were famous last words when he collapsed."

to say something that is very soon proven wrong or inaccurate

"I spoke too soon."

"She declared the project a success, but she spoke too soon when a major flaw was discovered."

to speak or offer one's opinions, particularly those affected by one's personal view or experience, in the way one sees fit

"I speak as I find always."

"As a teacher who has seen many challenges, I speak as I find when I discuss education reform."

to assume without question that something is true

"Don't take it for granted."

"Many people take it for granted that clean water will always be available, but millions around the world struggle daily."

a series of connected thaughts and ideas, often formed to reach a proper conclusion

"I lost my train of thought."

"He was explaining the complex theory, but he suddenly lost his train of thought mid-sentence."

something that is worth thinking about or considering deeply

"This is food for thought."

"The documentary provided a lot of food for thought about our environmental impact."

to be unable to stop talking or thinking about someone or something

"She has him on brain."

"Ever since the vacation, he has had the beach on his brain and talks about it constantly."

used to suggest that if something accurately describes or applies to a person, they should accept it as true

"If the shoe fits, wear it, he is talking to you."

"If the shoe fits then wear it because that criticism was aimed directly at your behaviour."

something one is extremely obsessed with and keeps talking about

"His bee in bonnet is politics."

"He's had a bee in his bonnet about recycling for years and constantly reminds everyone to sort their trash."

to continue to believe in something strongly

"I hold fast to my principles."

"The company held fast to its decision despite the protests from customers and employees alike."

(of praise, success, etc.) to make one feel too proud of oneself and degrade others

"Success went to his head."

"After winning the championship, the sudden fame went to his head, and he became arrogant."

(of an idea or thought) to suddenly be remembered or thought of

"A good idea came to mind."

"When someone mentions Italian food pizza immediately comes to mind as the most popular dish."

something that a person imagines is real but in fact it is not

"The monster is a figment of your imagination."

"The monster in the dark was just a figment of the child's imagination and not real at all."

to describe or think of someone or something in specific way

"Don't attach label."

"It's unfair to attach a label to someone based on their appearance without knowing them."

mainly focusing on one's thoughts and not paying much attention to what is happening around one

"He is in a world of his own."

"The old man lives in a world of his own and rarely speaks to anyone in the nursing home."

to take a moment to ponder what one is about to say

"The politician weighed his words carefully."

"The diplomat weighed his words carefully before speaking to the angry crowd."

with one's thoughts or concerns centered on a particular subject or issue

"I have much on mind."

"With the upcoming exams and family issues, she had a lot on her mind."

used to indicate that after a key event, the following developments are well-known or self-explanatory

"They met, fell in love, and the rest is history."

"She launched the product from her garage, secured a major investor six months later, and the rest is history."

to say the exact thing someone else was about to say or was thinking of

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

"You took the words right out of my mouth because I was just about to say the exact same thing."

to form an opinion or make a judgment about something or someone based solely on its outward appearance or initial impression

"Do not judge a book by its cover."

"You should not judge a book by its cover because the quiet boy turned out to be an amazing singer."

used of a person whose mind is busy with the thought of a particular person or thing and cannot think of anyone or anything else

"He has a one-track mind and only talks about football."

"He had a one track mind and could only think about football even during dinner conversation."

used to suggest that there are hidden or undiscovered aspects to a person or thing that may be surprising or unexpected

"More to her than eye."

"The shy new employee is brilliant; there is more to him than meets the eye."

(of praise, success, etc.) to make one feel too proud of oneself and degrade others

"Success can go to your head."

"After winning the championship, the team captain's success unfortunately began to go to his head, alienating teammates."

to carefully think about what someone else has said

"Please weigh your words."

"Before making such a serious accusation, you should carefully weigh your words and consider the potential fallout."