train of [thought]
1
a series of connected thaughts and ideas, often formed to reach a proper conclusion
The idiom "train of thought" originated from the idea that thoughts can be linked together like a series of train cars connected on a track. It was first used in the early 16th century and has since become a common metaphor for the flow of one's ideas or mental processes. This expression is used to describe the sequence of connected thoughts or ideas that run through a person's mind as they think about a particular topic or problem.
- Controlling your train of thoughts not only makes you more productive and effective in your work, it has other, more important benefits as well.
- You'll know once you take control of your train of thought.
- I lost my train of thought while giving the presentation and couldn't remember the next point.
- Let me explain my train of thought so you can understand how I reached that decision.
- His train of thought was so scattered during the conversation that it was hard to follow what he was saying.
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