spring to mind
Pop into awareness
To spring to mind is to occur to someone suddenly or readily, appearing in consciousness without deliberate effort: When you think of fast food, what springs to mind?
The phrase suggests thoughts arriving unbidden, as if jumping into awareness.
No obvious solution springs to mind.
Also come to mind, with similar meaning but less emphasis on spontaneity.
Memory retrieval act
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
retrieval · mnemonic · reminisce · evocation · remembrance · retrospect · anamnesis · déjà vu
Not asked for
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- automaticOperating without intervention
- instinctiveArising without conscious thought
- effortlessRequiring no strain
unplanned · sudden · unexpected · impromptu · natural · unforced · serendipitous · unprompted
Mental concept or reflection
- associationGroup with shared aim
- mental imageInternal visual representation
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
conception · notion · impression · contemplation · reflection · realization · understanding · insight
Mental formation
- brainstormSpontaneous idea generation
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- brainwaveSudden clever idea
- sparkTiny fiery particle
lightbulb moment · eureka · breakthrough · flash · vision · concept · revelation · creativity
Unproven inner sense
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
inner voice · intuition · insight · subconscious · inkling · foreboding · sense · feeling
recall
Memory retrieval act
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
nostalgia · retrieval · mnemonic · reminisce · evocation · remembrance · retrospect · anamnesis · déjà vu · trigger
unbidden
Not asked for
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- automaticOperating without intervention
- instinctiveArising without conscious thought
effortless · unplanned · sudden · unexpected · impromptu · natural · unforced · serendipitous · unprompted · reflexive
thought
Mental concept or reflection
- associationGroup with shared aim
- mental imageInternal visual representation
- visualizationForming mental or graphical images
perception · conception · notion · impression · contemplation · reflection · realization · understanding · insight · connection
idea
Mental formation
- brainstormSpontaneous idea generation
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- brainwaveSudden clever idea
spark · lightbulb moment · eureka · breakthrough · flash · vision · concept · revelation · creativity · imagination
hunch
Unproven inner sense
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
premonition · inner voice · intuition · insight · subconscious · inkling · foreboding · sense · feeling
- memoryremember, forget, recall, memorize, recollect
- memory phrasesring a bell, jog your memory, tip of tongue, commit to memory, vivid memory
spring to mindrack one's brain
Think very hard
draw a blank · forget · think hard · dredge up · cast one's mind back
mind, spring, springy, springs, springtime, springing, springboard, springiness, springbok