think of

think of (third-person singular simple present thinks of, present participle thinking of, simple past and past participle thought of)

1. To create in one's mind; to originate an idea through thought.

   I only had ten minutes to think of a solution.

   • 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter IV, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:

     I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite.

2. (in rhetorical questions) Used to suggest an aberrant thought, idea or action.

   Oh no! I put the casserole in the freezer and the ice cream in the oven. What was I thinking of?

3. (often imperative) Used to emphasise a reason to act in a certain way.

   We can't employ a gardener as well as a handyman. Think of the expense!

   I can't turn down the offer. Think of what we could do with that money!

4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see think,‎ of. (to think on the subject of)

   I spend a lot of time thinking of Karen and the times we shared.