mind

Phrases

bear something in mind

remember a fact or circumstance and take it into account:people also need to bear the same warnings in mind if they use mobile phones and email [with clause]:bear in mind that the figures vary from place to place

be in (or North American of) two minds

be unable to decide between alternatives: I’m in two minds whether to go back

be of one (or a different) mind

share the same (or hold a different) opinion: the Council and the government are of one mind on the long-term objective

close (or shut) one's mind to (or against)

refuse to consider or acknowledge: she closed her mind against his disapproval

come (or spring) to mind

(of a thought) occur to someone: the idea of global warming comes to mind when we see what’s happening

(I) don't mind if I do

informal used to accept an invitation:‘Have some breakfast.’ ‘Ta very much—don’t mind if I do.’

give someone a piece of one's mind

informal rebuke someone: some youths were making a noise and she went out to give them a piece of her mind

great minds think alike

humorous said when two people have the same opinion or make the same choice:looks like me and Jackie were posting simultaneously; great minds think alike!

have a (or a good or half a) mind to do something

be very much inclined to do something:I’ve a good mind to write to the manager to complain

have someone/thing in mind

be thinking of someone or something: the speaker did not have any particular person in mind

intend to do something:I had it in mind to ask you to work for me

have a mind of one's own

be capable of independent opinion or action: he has a mind of his own and does not accept cant

(of an inanimate object) seem capable of thought and independent action:the trolley had a mind of its own

in one's mind's eye

in one’s imagination: his face was very clear in her mind’s eye

mind over matter

the use of willpower to overcome physical problems: I don’t know if it’s the pills or mind over matter, but I feel different

mind one's own business

refrain from prying or interfering: I asked her if he’d come home and she told me to mind my own business

mind one's Ps & Qs

be careful to behave well and avoid giving offence: she remembered the warning to mind her Ps and Qs and kept quiet

[of unknown origin; said by some to refer to the care a young pupil must pay in differentiating the tailed letters p and q]

mind the shop

British informal have charge of something temporarily: I can’t go—I have to mind the shop here

never mind

• 1used to urge someone not to worry:never mind—it’s all right now

• 2 (also never you mind) used in refusing to answer a question:never mind where I’m going

• 3used to indicate that what has been said of one thing applies even more to another:he found it hard to think, never mind talk

not pay someone any mind

North American not pay someone any attention.

on someone's mind

preoccupying someone: new parents have many worries on their minds

open one's mind to

be receptive to:she had opened her mind to new things

out of one's mind

having lost control of one’s mental faculties.

informal suffering from a particular condition to a very high degree:she was bored out of her mind

put someone in mind of

resemble and so remind someone of:he was a small, well-dressed man who put her in mind of a jockey

put (or give or set) one's mind to

direct all one’s attention to (achieving something):she’d have made an excellent dancer, if she’d have put her mind to it

put someone/thing out of one's mind

deliberately forget someone or something: she tried to put him out of her mind as she drove

to my mind

in my opinion:this story is, to my mind, a masterpiece