Word for thinking hard about something

I am looking for an idiom or phrase that means «thinking hard by myself to solve a problem». I hope the idiom or phrase has the word «head» in it.

Example: I have been ____ head ______ for the last 5 days to solve this math puzzle.

Hank

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asked Feb 20, 2017 at 3:37

I have been scratching my head for the last 5 days to solve this math puzzle.

The Cambridge Dictionary says the following with regard to British English:

scratch your head

to think hard about something

A lot of people must be scratching
their heads about which way to vote.

It also says the following with regard to American English:

scratch your head

to have difficulty understanding something

All I can do is scratch my
head and ask why.

(link)

To address the point that you want something that means «thinking hard» instead of «to have difficulty understanding,» I can attest as a native speaker of English in the United States that to scratch one’s head does imply effort being put into solving a problem. Also, if someone is spending 5 days on a math puzzle they must find it difficult, the implication is present that some effort is being put into solving it is there anyway.

answered Feb 20, 2017 at 6:07

P. JamesP. James

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You have been trying to wrap your head around it.

The Free Dictionary says:

wrap (one’s) head around

To comprehend something that one considers
challenging, confusing, or a foreign concept.

So your sentence could be modified a bit:

I have been trying to wrap my head around this math puzzle for the last 5 days.

EDIT:
As per Mari-Lou A’s comment, in British English you can also say that you can’t get your head around it.

From the Cambridge Dictionary:

If you say that you can’t get your head around something, you mean
that you cannot understand it:

I just can’t get my head around these tax forms.

So the sentence would be:

I haven’t been able to get my head around this math puzzle for the last 5 days.

answered Feb 20, 2017 at 7:26

You’ve been banging your head against a wall.

The Free Dictionary gives an example that is almost the same as your sample sentence.

To attempt continuously and fruitlessly to accomplish some task or achieve some goal that is or seems ultimately hopeless.

I feel like I’ve been banging my head against a wall trying to understand this math equation.

Some people are never going to agree with you on this, so it’s no use banging your head against a wall trying to convince everyone.

Of course if you actually solved the problem, and did it in a clever way, someone might tell you that you really used your head (there).

answered Feb 20, 2017 at 3:59

SpencerSpencer

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You can «use your head» to solve a problem. Generally that implies thinking harder (or smarter) than you generally might do, in order to come to the correct answer/conclusion by yourself.

answered Feb 22, 2017 at 16:41

DanDan

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The term «headwork» comes to mind:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headwork

It would need to need some (head)work to fit in your sentence, however. Perhaps «doing some serious headwork.» The verb form «headworking» doesn’t appear in MW, or other sources I’ve found.

answered Feb 20, 2017 at 20:23

To break or bust your head on a problem means to think really hard about it. I can’t find it in online dictionaries but Google comes up with many examples.

David Bowie’s Moonage Daydream has the variant I’m busting up my brains for the words.

answered Feb 22, 2017 at 11:00

Just thinking about that problem «makes my head explode«.

This has the connotation of extreme frustration while trying to understand or solve a problem. It is the logical consequence of «banging my head against the wall».

answered Feb 22, 2017 at 15:51

Jerome Rodale, The Synonym Finder (1978) suggests trouble one’s head.

Christine Ammer, The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, second edition (2013) offers this entry for the phrase:

trouble one’s head with Also trouble oneself about. Bother or worry about, as in Don’t trouble your head with these details; I’ll take care of it, or It seems to me that teachers should trouble themselves more about teaching and less about manners. The first term dates from the mid-1600s, the variant from the early 1500s.

answered Oct 18, 2018 at 3:14

Sven YargsSven Yargs

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think before (doing something)
think before (one) (does something)
think before doing
think better of
think better of it/(something)
think better of it/of doing something
think better of somebody
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think box
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think greatly of (someone or something)
think highly of (someone or something)
think highly of somebody/something
think hung the moon
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think less of (someone)
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think little of (someone or something)
think long and hard
think long and hard about (something)
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think more of (someone)
think much of (someone or something)
think nothing of
think nothing of (doing something)
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think nothing of something/of doing something
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think on (someone or something)
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think outside (of) the box
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think less of me
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think less of somebody
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think less of them
think less of us
think less of you
Think Like a Man
think little
think little
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Think Local Act Personal
Think Local First
think long and hard
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think long and hard about (something)
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think long and hard before (doing something)
think long and hard before (one) (does something)
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think long and hard before she does something
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think long and hard before you speak
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think much of (someone or something)
think much of her
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Contemplative

“Contemplative” is a good adjective to show that someone is thinking about something. It relates to the word “contemplate,” showing that someone is quietly thinking about something serious, hoping to come to a solution.

The definition of “contemplative,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “involving quiet and serious thought for a period of time.”

You’re very contemplative, aren’t you? I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone to spend as much time in their own thoughts as you.
I’m quite contemplative because I like to think about all possible outcomes. I don’t like being caught off guard.
I want to be more contemplative because I feel like I always act in a spontaneous way. It hasn’t been very helpful so far.

Thoughtful

“Thoughtful” works well to show that someone puts care or thought into things. It can relate to them thinking hard about what they might want to get someone as a gift (i.e. positive thoughtfulness) or thinking hard about a potentially disastrous situation (i.e. negative thoughtfulness).

The definition of “thoughtful,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “carefully considering things.”

She’s quite thoughtful, so you can expect her to think about this long and hard. You won’t find her making any rash decisions.
I’m not as thoughtful as you think I am. I’m often quiet because I don’t know what to say. It’s nothing to do with me getting lost in my mind.
I’m very thoughtful when I need to be. I make sure to consider all possible aspects of an event before I make any final decisions.

Introspective

“Introspective” people are able to look into themselves to come up with ideas. They will be able to spend a lot of time with their own thoughts and feelings. The longer they spend with them, the better the outcome tends to be for an introspective person.

The definition of “introspective,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “examining and considering your own ideas, thoughts, and feelings, instead of talking to other people about them.”

He’s very introspective about these things. To be honest, it makes it quite challenging to try and talk to him. I don’t think he’s a social guy.
You’re too introspective for your own good. You’ll be better off opening yourself up to the outside world and seeing what’s out there.
I think she’s a bit too introspective about these matters. She’s going to drive herself insane if she isn’t careful!

Ruminative

“Ruminative” is a great adjective to show that someone is thinking deeply about something. They will often spend a lot of time thinking about this thing before coming to any final decisions. The longer they think, the more satisfied with their answer they will be.

The definition of “ruminative,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “thinking deeply and for a long period.”

I know I act quite ruminative, but I do that because I want to make sure I set myself up for success. Does that make sense?
They’re a ruminative bunch. If you run an idea by them, it’ll take them an awfully long time to decide whether they like it or not.
I’m not trying to come across as overly ruminative, but I really do need to take some extra time to think about my answer here.

Meditative

“Meditative” people rely quite heavily on meditation in their lives. They will try to meditate (which means to think deeply and relax) when they need to come up with a solution to something.

If they can remove outside stimuli while being “meditative,” it encourages them to come up with a reasonable solution.

The definition of “meditative,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “involving serious thought or study.”

As a meditative soul, he wants to make sure that he provides the best options. That’s why he takes so long to ponder these ideas.
I need to be more meditative. I want to think deeper about these things before I make any decisions that I end up regretting.
I didn’t think you could get more meditative than that. To be honest, I’m quite surprised that you were able to get like that.

Pensive

“Pensive” people will often have a serious face about them when they think. Unlike some other words on this list which only talk about thinking in one’s own mind, “pensive” people allow their thinking to be portrayed in real time.

If you are around a pensive person, you’ll almost certainly know when they’re thinking hard about something. Their faces become quite a big giveaway.

The definition of “pensive,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “thinking in a quiet way, often with a serious expression on your face.”

Look at his pensive expression. I wonder what goes through his mind when he’s looking around at people like that.
You’re acting quite pensive right now. You need to calm down a little bit and let your emotions take over for once.
He’s very pensive, and I like that about him. It means he never comes up with a silly question. He always thinks about them first.

Preoccupied

“Preoccupied” is a good way of showing that someone is lost in their own thoughts. They will spend too much time worrying about something in their mind, making it much harder for them to operate when it comes to friends, family, or work.

When someone is preoccupied, you will have a hard time speaking to them. They might give you answers, but they will be made up of a few words at best, making it hard to have a reasonable conversation.

The definition of “preoccupied,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “thinking or worrying about something too much.”

I’m a little bit preoccupied with my own thoughts at the minute. I don’t mean to be annoying, but I’m definitely too busy to speak.
You’re so preoccupied thinking about whether or not it’s possible that you’re missing the chance to even give it a go.
Why do you always have to be so preoccupied? You make it so hard for us to understand what you want out of this gig.

Musing

“Musing” is the only verb we want to share on this list. It relates to someone who is thinking very carefully. They will spend a long time thinking just to make sure that they come to a decision that is the most beneficial to all the parties involved.

The definition of “musing,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “to think about something carefully and for a long time.”

She’s been musing about this for a very long time. I wonder what’s going through her mind right now. I can’t imagine it’s helpful.
You need to stop musing for a second. We need to come together and discuss what the outcome is supposed to be.
I would like to continue musing until I’ve come up with a better reason for all of this. Is that okay with you?

Reflective

“Reflective” shows that someone thinks back to things. It relates more to past events, where someone might be tied up on something they did wrong or something they might have been able to do better.

Reflective people can tend to dwell on the past. They often think deeply about their actions to try and better themselves for the future.

The definition of “reflective,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “thinking carefully and quietly.”

As reflective as he is, I really don’t think he’s got a chance here. He’s not going to be able to come up with a decent reason. I can tell.
I’m not reflective enough to act in that way. I like to be spontaneous, which means I don’t often give myself much time to think.
I want you to be a bit more reflective going forward, okay? I want you to show me that you’re capable of thinking deeply.

Philosopher

“Philosopher” is a noun used to talk about people who think for a living. Philosophers try and come up with ideas behind the meaning of life, which requires a great deal of thought to even scratch the surface.

The definition of “philosopher,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who studies or writes about the meaning of life.”

He’s quite the philosopher I’ve heard. Apparently, he likes to spend his spare time getting lost in his own existential thoughts.
I want to be more philosophical with these things, but I don’t think my mind is cut out for thinking in those abstract ways.
I thought you would be a better philosopher than that, Mark. I guess I put too much faith in your knowledge!

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.

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Contemplative

Thoughtful

Introspective

Ruminative

Meditative

Pensive

Preoccupied

Musing

Reflective

Philosopher