Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Ken Tsukada]

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:38 am Post subject: think outside the box
Hello!

Here is a phrase, "think ouside the box."

Longman says "to think of new, different, or unusual ways of doing something, especially in business."

I'd like to know if this phrase also refers to other aspects of life, not simply in business.

For instance, in medicine, art, writing, or engineering, can we say "You should think outside the box!"?

Thank you for your help.

Ken

[Kristea]

In my opinion, yes. You can "think outside the box" in many fields.

- Kristi
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"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson

[Ken Tsukada]

Thanks, Kristi.

Do you use "outside the box" independently?

I browsed through the Internet and found many cases using "act outside the box."

Other than "think" or "act," do you use "outside the box" independently

as in

"Whatever you do, in business what's important is 'outside the box.'" or

after some other verbs or nouns,

such as "To create a great artwork, you need to feel ouside the box." or "This is a theory outside the box."?

How do you feel about those cases?

[Kristea]

[Ken Tsukada]

Kristi,

Thank you for your advice. I try to use "inside the box" about this expression.

Thank you.