FAQ English

​​#collocations

Collocations with Brain 1. TO BRAINSTORM

To spend time, usually with a group of people, spontaneously producing many ideas or solutions to a problem. You could literally think of a "storm" of ideas brewing in one’s brain.

The group brainstormed for a whole hour with little results.

Let’s have a brainstorming session to figure out the best way to go about our new business plan.

2. BRAIN TEASER

A small problem or puzzle meant to confuse the brain (or literally “tease” the brain), usually meant for entertainment. Riddles are a good example.

My dad used to give me brain teasers all the time when I was little. Sometimes, I think he enjoyed them more than I did.

3. NO-BRAINER

A very easy question to answer or task to accomplish. In other words, something that requires “no brain” to figure out.

Once you get your formal training, the rest of the job is a no-brainer.

4. TO BRAINWASH

To manipulate the way a person thinks by continually feeding them a certain type of stimulus or putting them in a certain environment.

Brainwashing usually carries a negative connotation, and the word is often used in conspiracy theories that accuse organizations or governments of distorting the way people view reality.

Some people claim that the media is an easy way to brainwash to public into believing almost anything.

I probably would’ve been completely brainwashed by my family’s political views if it hadn’t been for the Internet.

5. TO PICK SOMEONE’S BRAIN(S)

To receive information by asking someone about a subject they know about better than you do.

Just as you can pick berries from a bush or fruit from a true, you could imagine someone "picking" knowledge from someone else.

If you really want to pick your professor’s brain, just go to his office hours.

Internships provide great opportunities to pick experts’ brains in a field you don’t have much experience in.

Do you mind if I pick your brain for a second?