Alternative phrases for "sprang to mind" include "came to me," "popped up," "occurred to me," "suddenly realized," "struck me," and "dawned on me." These expressions convey the notion of a sudden idea or realization that comes without warning. Other phrases with a similar meaning include "clicked," "hit me," "flashed through my mind," "entered my brain," and "crossed my mind." Sometimes, we say things like "it immediately dawned on me" to emphasize how suddenly the thought came to us. All these phrases capture the fleeting, spontaneous nature of ideas that come to mind.