Collocations for "brain"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "brain" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
brain
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- the human brain
- in a [rat, monkey] brain
- in a [rat's] brain
- the [right, left] brain
- the [left] hemisphere of the brain
- a [great, brilliant, developing, recovering] brain
- a [great] brain for [math, analysis, science]
- use your brain!
- the brain [produces, releases]
- the brain sends [messages, signals, electrical impulses] to [the muscles, your body]
- his brain was [damaged, injured]
- brain and [nervous system, spinal cord]
- (had to) operate on her brain
- he [racked, searched] his brain for an answer
- thoughts [churned, swirled, unfolded] inside her brain
- he (always) has [sex, money, fame] on the brain
- has (both) beauty and brains
- can I pick your brains about (the proposal)?
- (was) the brains behind the [idea, plan, plot]
- he's got brains
- brains before beauty
- brain [disease, damage, cancer, death]
- brain [games, teasers, exercises]
- the brain stem
- the [right, left] brain hemisphere
- [damages, kills] brain cells
- has a brain tumor
- lost (all) brain function
- a loss of brain power
- needs brain surgery
- suffered a traumatic brain injury
- the brain drain of [scientists, doctors] (from)
- UK: fell and [nearly, almost] brained him
- UK: I'll brain you if
- UK: [be careful, stop] or you'll brain yourself!
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'brain' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
attack
- brand
- enter
- flow
- image
- map
- model
- pattern
- process
- spin
- tax
- use
- activity
- damage
- death
- evidence
- function
- half
- bird
- working
- trick
- sex
- rush
- good
- serious
- rat
- capacity
- cell
- clot
- defect
- lining
- math
- reset
- scan
- scar
- shrinkage
- sieve
- whirl
- wiring
- imaging
- organization
- pathway
- puzzle
- rake
- reel
- bleed
- drill
- numb
- soothing
- teasing
