think outside the box

think outside the box

also, out of the box thinking

Meaning

• think differently
• to be creative and produce something that is not usual or boring
• to come up with something that is unique and interesting
• look at the broader context of a problem, challenge etc.

Example Sentences

1. The team always thinks outside the box to come up with unique advertisements for all its clients.
2. This particular technology is quite out of the box in nature and should be a hit really easily.
3. I teach my children to think of solutions which are outside the box. It helps them with problem solving and innovative thinking.
4. In our organisation, thinking outside the box has an added advantage for all of the employees.
5. This out of the box thinking has helped save many lives when travelling by the sea.
6. I am trying to think outside the box to make this event a success at any cost this year.
7. Sarah has spent her whole life in performing a routine job work so don't expect that she would ever be able to think outside the box.

Origin

The phrase originates from a simile which draws a person's thought in comparison to a box and how anything outside seems far-fetched and unachievable. It comes from the advertisement and marketing world where products compete for space in the market. Thinking outside the box helps the product life-cycle to become longer. The literary origin can be traced to the 20th century.