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That’s an idea vs That’s the idea

admin Confusing Phrases

that’s an idea—that thought, proposal, etc. is worth considering:

  • Well, that’s an idea all right. Not a good one, but it’s an idea.

that’s the idea—

1. is used to indicate approval of what has just been said:

  • “Shall I look and see?” “That’s the idea.”

2. that’s what smb. has in mind:

  • Personal liberty isn’t everything. The collective utopian omelet cannot be made without breaking eggs or intellectuals … I think that’s the idea, and it’s still quite a bad one.