Definition of think over

The phrase "think over" is a figurative expression that means to give careful consideration to something before making a decision or taking action. It's a translation of the French phrase "réfléchir sur," which dates back to the 19th century. The term "think over" became popular in English in the early 20th century, and its exact origin is unclear. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) attributes it to either American or British English, with the earliest known use dating back to 1891. When "think over" first appeared, it was written as two separate words: "think over." However, over time, it has evidentially been joined together as "thinkover." This new compound term gained recognition in the OED in the 1920s and has since become a crucial part of everyday English. Interestingly, the OED also notes that "think over" was initially used by lawyers, where it meant to examine a case thoroughly. It only spread to other areas of English in the early 20th century. In summary, "think over" is a relatively modern expression, originating in French and subsequently translated into English in the 19th century. Its usage has evolved over time, and it is now widely used to mean "to consider deeply before making a decision."