Meaning of blue-sky thinking | Babel Free

Definitions

A form of thinking that is not grounded or in touch with the realities of the present, and can thus benefit from creative imagination.

idiomatic, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“He found that at the “take-off point⟳,” every one of them began engaging in what he called “blue-sky thinking.” In blue-sky thinking, you imagine⟳ that all things are possible for you, just like⟳ looking up into a clear blue sky with no limits.”

“Much work⟳ in future scenario planning has relied on the astute few to undertake⟳ blue-sky thinking, usually in committees, and so ‘futures thinking’ presents only a partial view⟳ of what tomorrow's society might look⟳ like⟳ and how this impacts on the future workings of the industry.”

“If the stakeholders say⟳ they want⟳ “blue-sky thinking,” you can use⟳ carefully selected exploratory concepts to test⟳ your blue-sky ideas and watch⟳ their reactions.”

“The metaphorical blue-sky thinking recommended by startup accelerators in Silicon Valley is no substitute for the blue sky itself, which will go on shining whether we are here to look⟳ at it or not.”

CEFR level