reflect on
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to think carefully and deeply about something that happened in the past.
phrasal verb. to engage in serious thought or consideration regarding past events or experiences. This verb is intransitive in this sense, though it requires the preposition 'on' or 'upon' to introduce the object of thought.
You should take some time to reflect on your progress.
After the project ended, the team met to reflect on what went well and what needed improvement.
The retired diplomat spent his final years writing a memoir to reflect on the geopolitical shifts he had witnessed during his long career.
- think about
- consider
- contemplate
- mull over
- Particles
- on
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- reflect + on + object
often used with 'upon' in more formal writing, though 'on' is standard for general use.
contrast with 'think about' (general) and 'ponder' (more literary); 'reflect on' specifically implies looking back at an experience to gain wisdom or understanding.
I need to reflect my mistakes.I need to reflect on my mistakes.the preposition 'on' is mandatory when the verb means to think deeply; without it, 'reflect' means to throw back light or heat.
Last updated July 28, 2026