Question
29 May
- Simplified Chinese (China)
-
English (US)
-
Korean
-
English (UK)
Question about English (US)
“Your thoughts are all over the map.”
Does this sound natural? I want to say your thoughts don’t stay the same. They jump from one to the other easily.
“Your thoughts are all over the map.”
Does this sound natural? I want to say your thoughts don’t stay the same. They jump from one to the other easily.
Does this sound natural? I want to say your thoughts don’t stay the same. They jump from one to the other easily.
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29 May
Featured answer
- English (US)
- Hungarian
This is better I think:
Her thoughts are all over the place.
She can’t stick to one thing at once.
Highly-rated answerer
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- English (US)
- Hungarian
This is better I think:
Her thoughts are all over the place.
She can’t stick to one thing at once.
Highly-rated answerer
- English (UK)
- English (US)
@handsomeish
Yes – and you have chosen one of the most polite forms of this expression. By making the analogy with a map, you are saying to the person – I am able to keep track of what you are saying, even though it takes some work. This is kinder than some of the other versions, such as –
Your thoughts are all over the show
Your thoughts are all over the shop
Without going into the slightly archaic use of show and shop, the basic meaning is immediately apparent to any native – you are completely out of control, not making any sense.
Highly-rated answerer
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@Lora__B So “all over the place” sounds more correct here. Thank you!
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@isthmus_x Thank you! Honestly, I’ve never heard “all over the show”, I did hear “all over the shop” a couple times. Can you go over this sentence for me, please?
“Your sentences are all over the map.”
I want to express those sentences are confusing to me. I don’t understand at all.
“Your sentences are all over the map.”
I want to express those sentences are confusing to me. I don’t understand at all.
- English (UK)
- English (US)
@handsomeish
Well, is that your fault or theirs? You don’t want to say something fairly harsh like – you’re all over the map, mate – when in truth it is you who is not understanding.
It’s better to say something like – I’m having a hard time grasping your train of thought – if you’re not sure whether it’s you or them who is causing the confusion.
Now I’m sorry, but I must withdraw from the conversation, as much as I have enjoyed it – it is past my bedtime.
Highly-rated answerer
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@isthmus_x Oh, thanks so much! You can go to bed now. And maybe we can continue this conversation tomorrow. Night.
- English (US)
- Hungarian
@handsomeish yes, and you're welcome✨
Highly-rated answerer
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@Lora__B Can I ask you one more question? What does “at once” mean in this sentence? Immediately?
“She can’t stick to one thing at once.”
“She can’t stick to one thing at once.”
- English (US) Near fluent
- Korean
I have never heard such expression "your thoughts are all over the show or shop"
I don't think anyone would say that.
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likes
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disagree
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@YNezuko I did hear “all over the shop” said by Americans, but not exactly with “your thoughts”. 😂 I think they are all correct but “all over the map” and “all over the place” are by far the most common.
- English (US) Near fluent
- Korean
@handsomeish haha that's right! "all over the shop" is correct, but not when you're talking about someone's thoughts.
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@YNezuko OK. Can I ask how you interpret “all over the map”? I think it just means confusing. Is that accurate?
- English (US)
- Hungarian
@handsomeish at once = at a time = at (one) time
She cannot stick to one thing at a time.
She cannot stick to one thing.
Are OK too. Maybe even better.
Highly-rated answerer
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@Lora__B So it kind of means at the same time, during one particular moment. “She can’t stick to one thing at one particular moment.” I get it. Thank you!
- English (US)
- Hungarian
@handsomeish you're welcome!^^
You can also say (jokingly) "her thoughts are all over the place", but be careful how you say it. (the tone of your voice)
Highly-rated answerer
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@Lora__B OK. I hardly ever say something in a sarcastic way. 😂 But I will notice that. Thank you!
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