noggin

use (one's) noggin

To use one's own intelligence and intellectual ability; to think logically and rationally. ("Noggin" here is slang for head or brain. Often said as an imperative.) Come on, Dean, I know you can figure this out on your own. Use your noggin for a change! I can't believe you were arrested for selling marijuana. What were you thinking? Why don't you use your noggin once in a while?
See also: noggin, use
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

use one's head

 and use one's noggin; use one's noodle
Fig. to use one's own intelligence. (The words noggin and noodle are slang terms for "head.") You can do better in math if you'll just use your head. Jane uses her noggin and gets things done correctly and on time. Yes, she sure knows how to use her noodle.
See also: head, use
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

Use your head!

and Use your noggin! and Use your noodle!
exclam. Think!; Think it through! You know the answer. Use your head! Use your noggin’, dogg!
See also: use

Use your noggin!

verb
See Use your head!
See also: use
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • on one's own account
  • at will
  • chew (one's) own tobacco
  • chew own tobacco
  • cut (one's) own throat
  • cut one’s own throat
  • cut your own throat
  • of (one's) own accord
  • of own accord
  • of your own accord
References in periodicals archive
After noggin lentivirus infection, OCIAD2 gene expression was about 3.19 times that of the NC virus.
In this paper, we adopted a double-inhibiting method to obtain hNSCs from hES cells by combined applying of Noggin and SB431542.
Several studies using a topical treatment of the noggin recombinant human protein (rh Noggin) in mice with craniosynostosis (premature closure of cranial sutures) have shown that rhNoggin prevents this premature closure and may be a potential medical alternative for treating craniofacial syndromes.
The existence of noggin and connection between 2 studs causes 2-percent strength increase in comparing with the same frame without noggin.
So far, there is no confirmation on expression of secretory factors by somite, whether they are able to co-express several neurogenic factors like noggin, chordin, follistatin, cer-berus and FGF8 in vitro.
For Western blot analysis, BMP2, BMP4, and noggin were added to the medium for 6 h or for a time gradient from 0 min to 120 min.
"High doses of Noggin might not be tolerated in humans," Buckanovich said.
"Noggin set a tone that was assertive but also conveyed personality and encouraged customers to see Danversbank as approachable," says Munroe."In some respects, the Noggin campaign was ideally suited for nontraditional media as the simple line art and catchy slogans by themselves evoked a kind of guerilla sensibility."
John said: "The thing that had the more interest was original British artwork of Captain Pugwash and Noggin the Nog.
After the January 2006 resignation of former Nickelodeon Networks President Herb Scannell, Zarghami took over as president of the newly formed Kids & Family Group, which includes Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Movies, Noggin, The N and Nicktoons TV.
His other creations, including Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine and Pingwings, were screenedon the BBCand ITV from the 50s.
I counted 14 clear-cut chances, and six of those rebounded off the noggin of Drewe Broughton.
Our Noggin SmartCart is an integrated GPR System which can be used to locate subsurface utilities prior to construction or excavation.
Elias loved Thomas the Tank Engine, Planets and watching Noggin and Nick, Jr.
A lightbulb didn't go off in Kelsey Bohman's head, but she did get hit in the noggin with a marshmallow.