Train of Thought
A succession of connected ideas; a process of reasoning. This term appeared in Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan (1651), and indeed Hobbes may have coined it. He defined it there as “that succession of one thought to another, which is called, to distinguish it from discourse in words, mental discourse.” It is still so used.
Related and Similar Terms
- Stream of consciousness
- Train of ideas
- Flow of thoughts
- Line of reasoning
- Thread of conversation
Proverbs and Common Phrases
- “Follow your thoughts; they know the way.”
- “Keep your train of thought on the tracks!”
- “Don’t derail mid-conversation.”
- “A mind is like a railway station; trains (of thought) are always bustling in and out.”
- “Choo-choo-choose your thoughts wisely.”
Synonyms
- Line of thinking
- Sequence of ideas
- Logical progression
- Cognitive flow
Antonyms
- Mental blockage
- Writer’s block
- Mind going blank
- Distracted thinking
Humor-Filled Quotes & References
- “Sometimes my train of thought leaves the station without me.” – Elan Gale
- “Every conversation with me tends to be a wild ride—my train of thought is like a rollercoaster.”
- “Ever lose your train of thought? Don’t worry, another will be along in a minute at Thought Central Station.”
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, Movies
- Books:
- “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
- “A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative” by Roger von Oech
- Movies:
- “Inception” – Dream-sharing and mind mazes
- “Inside Out” – A playful look at internal thought processes
- Songs:
- “Train of Thought” by A-ha
- “Mind Games” by John Lennon
- Poetry:
- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost – Choices triggering various thought paths
### Which idiom indicates a loss of concentration?
- [ ] Missing the boat
- [x] Losing your train of thought
- [ ] Curiosity killed the cat
- [ ] Jump on the bandwagon
> **Explanation:** "Losing your train of thought" means you have become distracted or forgotten what you were thinking or talking about.
### Which phrase refers to continuous thinking about a topic?
- [ ] Dropping like flies
- [ ] Playing it by ear
- [x] Keeping a train of thought
- [ ] Putting the cart before the horse
> **Explanation:** "Keeping a train of thought" means to maintain or follow a linked series of thoughts about a topic.
### True or False: 'Stream of unconsciousness' is a commonly accepted term
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** The correct term is 'stream of consciousness,' which refers to a literary style that depicts the flow of thoughts in the human mind.
### What best describes 'line of reasoning'?
- [ ] A literal way to form letters
- [x] A logical sequence of thought
- [ ] An abstract art style
- [ ] A way to fashion Rorschach blots
> **Explanation:** 'Line of reasoning' refers to a coherent sequence of arguments or thoughts.
### Which is a sign of staying focused?
- [x] Keeping your train of thought on track
- [ ] Trying to catch a rainbow
- [ ] Walking on sunshine
- [ ] Holding an umbrella indoors
> **Explanation:** "Keeping your train of thought on track" means staying focused and consistent in your line of thinking.
“If you want to have a sound mind, keep your trains of thought running smoothly on well-maintained tracks. Consistency, creativity, and a little bit of whimsy—and you’ll never have a mental derailment!”
— Penelope Mindwhizz
