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Meaning & use

think alike

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˌθɪŋk əˈlaɪk/
US/ˌθɪŋk əˈlaɪk/

Meanings

  1. phraseintransitive

    To have very similar opinions, ideas or ways of reasoning as another person.

    Grammar: Needs a plural subject or a phrase like we or you and I: we think alike.

    Patterns

    • we think alike
    • people who think alike

    My sister and I think alike, so we usually choose the same gift.

    Teams that think alike may miss important risks.

    You and I think alike about money.

  2. phrasefixed phrasehumorous

    Said when two people suggest the same idea at once, often in the saying great minds think alike.

    Grammar: Usually a humorous reply.

    Patterns

    • great minds think alike

    You bought pizza too? Great minds think alike.

    We both wore blue shirts, so we think alike, apparently.

    He laughed and said we must think alike.

Word forms

third person singularthinks alike
past tensethought alike
past participlethought alike
-ing formthinking alike

Common combinations

great minds think alike
We chose the same book: great minds think alike.
think alike on
The two leaders think alike on trade.
people who think alike
People who think alike often become friends.
we think alike
We think alike about travel.
almost think alike
The twins almost think alike.

Synonyms and how they differ

agree
Agree is about a specific point, while think alike describes a general match in outlook.
be on the same wavelength
This idiom stresses easy understanding, not only matching views.
see eye to eye
See eye to eye means agree after a possible difference, unlike think alike which is a steady similarity.

Opposites

disagreethink differently

Word family

alike adjective
similar
thought noun
an idea
like-minded adjective
sharing similar attitudes

Commonly confused: think alike or look alike?

think alike vs look alike

Look alike is about appearance, while think alike is about ideas.

Practice

We both suggested the same restaurant at once, so we obviously ____.

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