no se le ocurría

couldn't think of

→ no

phrase Rare #44,365

couldn't think of Used when an idea, answer, or option would not come to someone’s mind. Literally, “it wasn’t occurring to him/her.” The pronoun “le” refers to the person whose idea it is, while “se” is part of the pronominal construction.

SP: A Tom no se le ocurría nada mejor que hacer.

EN: Tom couldn't think of anything better to do.

A Tom no se le ocurría ninguna razón para no ir.

Tom couldn't think of any reason not to go.

A ella no se le ocurría qué darle a los niños para la navidad.

She couldn’t think of what to give the children for Christmas.

A Tom no se le ocurría nada mejor que hacer.

Tom couldn't think of anything better to do.

A Tom no se le ocurría que debía regalarle a Mary en Navidad.

Tom couldn't think of what he should give Mary for Christmas.