Shrink to think

[Alan]

Eh???
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Kitosdad]

You changed it after I posted. :) :)
_________________
Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Alan]

Never touched it, squire. Honest.

A
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Gray]

Though I am not a native, I don't feel awkward listening "shrink to think".

And regarding that small case 'i', I have noticed that one of the leading national newspapers (of course English:)) here, deliberately uses 'i' instead of 'I' in all articles on the editorial page. What could be the purpose? :?
_________________
First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English

[Kitosdad]

Personally i rather like it.

That was your original post. :D :D
_________________
Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Kevinzos]

To Kitosdad Please

This phrase "I shrink to think" is actually an informal idiom. I learnt the formal meaning of shrink through the trade. For example "Shrinkage is a huge problem for every major retailer".

In this case Shrinkage—meaning loss of product due to theft, fraud, error, and faulty processes.

If I come back to the meaning given by ALLAN to this phrases. "I daren't think" I see it's important to learn by heart certain idioms when wanting to master the use of formal english.

Many thanks from kevinzos
BURKINA FASO (West Africa)

[Aji]

shrink to think it means that disable / forget to think ? well, i dont know what is exactly the correct answer
thank
aji indonesia

[Fynn]

Hi Alan
I think i have understood the phrase I SHRINK TO THINK. Thank you very much.
Margaret Odoom Fynn

[Esl_Expert]

I'd say it's entirely possible that the only place in which "shrink to think" is a fixed idiom is at Alan's house (and in this particular thread). LOL

It seems that one of the other tests on this site actually contains the fixed idiom "shudder to think":
http://www.english-test.net/esl/learn/english/grammar/ii649/esl-answers.php

__________________________
"As always, the British especially shudder at the latest American vulgarity, and then they embrace it with enthusiasm two years later." ~ Alistair Cooke

[Alan]

Hi Fynn,

Glad you follow my explanation. Don't be put off by misleading comments!

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Mishal]

Hi Torsten,
it gives me agreat pleasure to do all the tests but unfortunatelly i don't have a time to do it because i work all the week and i go to school for dutch language learning that is why i am lezy or weak af doing the tests.
Best regads,
Mishal.

[Annula Gust]

Hi Alan, I still don't anderstand what does this expression mean, 'Shrink to think'. I nead you help please

[Muller]

Hi Alan and Torsten,
Thank you for your explanations about the idiom Shrink to think, I have passed through the discussion and I found that It was educative.

I also thank you for the electronic mail, everyday you come up with a new way for introducing your topics.

Thanks
Muller

[Anahid]

Hi dear
that was a nice explanation for I shrink to think, i read all the comments and i found out the meaning, thanks
anahid

[Nic110]

Hi all.
I dare to propose the next explanation of the expression "I shrink to think".
" I have no courage to think"
" I fear to think"
" I am afraide to think with my weak mind"
This expression may be very suitable, appropriate in a situation of speaking to a big boss in such a country like russian federation,
or Tojikistan, where this expression will be accepted with a serious, grave look