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to come to mind
01
(of an idea or thought) to suddenly be remembered or thought of
What is the origin of the idiom "come to mind" and when to use it?
The idiom "come to mind" originated from the idea of thoughts or ideas emerging or appearing in one's consciousness. It conveys the idea of a sudden or spontaneous recollection or realization. The phrase suggests that something or someone has been brought to the forefront of one's thoughts without deliberate effort.
Example
As I was walking through the park, the idea for a new painting came to mind.
When I saw the old photograph, the image of my grandfather came into mind vividly.
When I heard the news, memories of our childhood summers immediately sprang to mind.
The author carried a small notepad to stick down snippets of dialogue that came to mind.
When I was asked about my favorite book, the title of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' immediately sprang to mind.