outside the box
(idiomatic) Beyond the bounds of convention.
Synonyms: laterally, out of the box, outside of the box
The boss wants some new ideas—it's time to think outside the box.
I'll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it. Terry Pratchett
The biggest handicap in research is an ability to think outside the box. The handicap is being encumbered by all the conventional wisdom in a given field. Aubrey de Grey
Nashville has a formula, and it works a lot of the time, but it wasn't right for me. They're afraid to step outside the box - even though, with me, my success came because I was outside of the box to begin with. Deana Carter
It was a fair decision, the penalty, even though it was debatable whether it was inside or outside the box. Bobby Charlton
Deadlines refine the mind. They remove variables like exotic materials and processes that take too long. The closer the deadline, the more likely you'll start thinking waaay outside the box. Adam Savage
I work with structure, but I go outside the box and give it my own spin. I adore the challenge of creating truly modern clothes - where a woman's personality and sense of style are realized. Vera Wang