Come to think of/about it

Meaning

The idiom "come to think of/about it" is used to express surprise or realization after considering something for a moment. It means that someone has just remembered or thought about something that they had previously forgotten or not considered.

Usage

• I came to think of my friend's birthday and realized I hadn't sent her a gift yet.
• After coming to think of the potential consequences, I decided not to take the risk.
• When asked about her career plans, she came to think of them and said she wanted to start her own business.
• The student came to think of the problem during the exam and was able to solve it with a creative solution.
• After coming to think of the importance of saving money, the couple started to budget their expenses. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in informal or formal settings, and its tone can range from positive to negative.

Roots and History

This idiom is believed to have originated in the 19th century in England. It was originally used as "come to think of it" and meant "I hadn't thought of that before." Over time, it evolved to its current form and gained a more specific meaning related to realization or surprise. The idiom has since become commonly used in both English-speaking countries and other parts of the world.

Synonyms in English

• Aha moment
• Eureka!
• Light bulb moment
• Moment of insight
• Ah-ha moment

Synonyms in other languages

• French - Épiphanie
• German - Erkenntnis
• Spanish - Epifanía
• Italian - Rivelazione
• Japanese - 冒驟感覚 (Haitachi-kan)

Similar Idioms

• fat chance

• cash in

• as and when