Everyday Office Jargon · Associate level

"Outside the box"

"Outside the box" means approaching a problem with creative or unconventional thinking that goes beyond the standard solutions.

Say this instead: creatively

How "Outside the box" shows up at work

The phrase is so old that using it unironically is itself an example of the opposite. It tends to appear in briefs and brainstorm invitations, signaling that the requester wants something surprising but does not want to describe what that means.

Buzzword

We really need to think outside the box on this campaign brief.

Plain English

We really need to think creatively on this campaign brief.

Corporate Rank: Associate  ·  Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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