0
Mr. Tom Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

A brainstorm

Hi

Is the underlined a common expression?

She had a brainstorm in the exam and couldn't answer a single question.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

No. In fact, brainstorming is used to mean almost the exact opposite - that is, a process in which someone generates a large number of ideas, essentially without constraints, in order to have a large number of solutions to a problem to choose from. "

— CSnyder

  • No.
  • In fact, brainstorming is used to mean almost the exact opposite - that is, a process in which someone generates a large number of ideas, essentially without constraints, in order to have a large number of solutions to a problem to choose from.
  • "
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
No. In fact, brainstorming is used to mean almost the exact opposite - that is, a process in which someone generates a large number of ideas, essentially without constraints, in order to have a large number of solutions to a problem to choose from.

Some terms that would be appropriate for your sentence:

"She froze up..."
"Her mind went blank..."
"She choked..."
0
0
Thanks C Snyder!

But I think in BrE "a brainstorm" means: a sudden inability to think clearly which causes unusual behavior. [Advanced Learner's Dictionary]

Let's wait for some native speaker of British English to turn up.

Tom
0
0
`
A lot of BrE speakers do use brainstorm with that meaning.
0
0
Brain cramp
Brain **** (a bit vulgar)

That's interesting that a "brainstorm" means a stoppage of ideas in the UK.
0

Related Questions