think outside the box
/θɪŋk ˌaʊtˈsaɪd ðə bɒks/
to think of new, creative ideas, not the usual ones
In the video
The boss needs fresh ideas: “Think outside the box!” Peter climbs into a big cardboard box, bursts out and proudly says he is officially outside the box. Then he asks if he should get back in.
What it really means
The “box” here means your usual way of thinking. To think outside it means not following those limits and looking at a problem in a new way.
The phrase is often linked to a famous nine-dot puzzle. To join all the dots with four straight lines, you have to draw past the edge of the square.
When to use it
Use it in brainstorming or when you need a new approach. It is positive, but many people have heard it too often. In formal writing or a job application, “creative” or “innovative” is better.
Examples
- We need to think outside the box to win this client.
- Her ideas are great because she thinks outside the box.
- Let’s think outside the box and try something new this year.
Common mistake
✗ We need to think out of box.
✓ We need to think outside the box.
You need “the”. Some British speakers say “think out of the box”, but “the” stays there too.
Similar phrases
- think creatively to use new ideas; direct, with no image, and more formal
- think differently to look at something in a new way; simple and fine anywhere