This must be profoundly understood not as an idea but as an actuality.

我们必须深刻理解这一点，不是当作一个概念，而是作为一项事实来理解。

youdao

When one sees the danger - not as an idea but as an actual fact - that seeing is intelligence, the supreme form of absolute security.

当一个人看到危险—不是理论上而是事实上看到- - -看到即是智慧，智慧即是绝对安全的最高形式。

youdao

It is not an idea around which the community can unite. On the contrary, I see it as one that will divide us.

这不是一个可以让我们的组织团结起来的主意。恰恰相反，我看它会分裂我们。

《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》

But some historians suggest that the inclusion of opponents may not have been as smart an idea as Lincoln had hoped.

VOA: special.2009.02.09

But to speak of an intentional structure as a center is not at all the same thing as to speak of an intending person, author, being, or idea that brought it into existence, because that's extraneous.

但是讲到一个作为中心的意向性结构,与讲到一个创造它的人，作者，存在，或概念是完全不同的，因为那是外来的。

耶鲁公开课 - 文学理论导论课程节选

In his speech Wednesday night, President Obama said the idea is only one part of his plan and should not be used as an excuse.

VOA: special.2009.09.12

An idea is not synonymous with a competitive advantage, an idea is not necessarily a sign of creativity, an idea does not constitute innovation, and as much as some people wish it was so, an idea is certainly not a business.

FORBES: 15 Ways To Transform Useless Ideas Into Innovation

To them, not using social networks at the office (or, just as likely, on the road) would be as antiquated an idea as not using smartphones.

ECONOMIST: Microsoft in pursuit (1)

Remember, an idea by itself is not a company, though most companies start as an idea.

FORBES: Who Is A Founder?