# think outside the box

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/think-outside-the-box
Updated: 2026-07-14

## Meaning

To think creatively and develop new and original ideas.

## Examples

- You need to think outside the box to solve this puzzle.
- The manager encouraged the team to think outside the box to find a way to save money without cutting staff.
- While traditional methods have failed to address the housing crisis, some architects are thinking outside the box by repurposing old shipping containers into modern apartments.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.