I. mind 1 S1 W1 /maɪnd/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ mind , ↑ minder , ↑ reminder ; adjective : ↑ mindless , ↑ minded , ↑ mindful ; verb : ↑ mind , ↑ remind ; adverb : ↑ mindlessly ]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: gemynd ]
1 . ABILITY TO THINK AND IMAGINE [uncountable and countable] your thoughts or your ability to think, feel, and imagine things ⇨ mental :
It is impossible to understand the complex nature of the human mind.
Mind and body are closely related.
Meditation involves focussing the mind on a single object or word.
in sb’s mind
There was no doubt in my mind that it was the right decision to make.
Do you have a clear picture in your mind of what you want?
A plan began to form in his mind.
The event is still fresh in most people’s minds.
independence/strength/flexibility of mind
men who were chosen for their independence of mind
2 . change your mind to change your decision, plan, or opinion about something:
I was afraid that Liz would change her mind and take me back home.
change your mind about
If you change your mind about the colour scheme, it’s easy to just paint over it.
3 . make up your mind/make your mind up
a) to decide which of two or more choices you want, especially after thinking for a long time:
I wish he’d hurry up and make his mind up.
make up your mind/make your mind up about
He couldn’t make up his mind about what to do with the money.
make up your mind whether
Karen couldn’t make up her mind whether to apply for membership or not.
b) to become very determined to do something, so that you will not change your decision:
No more argument. My mind is made up.
make up your mind to do something
He had clearly made up his mind to end the affair.
make up your mind that
I made up my mind there and then that I would never get married.
c) to decide what your opinion is about someone or something
make up your mind/make your mind up about
I could never really make my mind up about him.
You’re old enough to make your own mind up about smoking.
4 . have somebody/something in mind (for something) to have an idea about who or what you want for a particular purpose:
It was a nice house, but it wasn’t quite what we had in mind.
Did you have anyone in mind for the job?
Have you any particular colour in mind for the bedroom?
5 . bear/keep somebody/something in mind to remember or think about someone or something when you are doing something:
It’s a good idea – I’ll keep it in mind.
You must always keep the reader in mind when writing a report.
Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor.
bear/keep in mind that
Bear in mind that the price does not include flights.
More money should be given to housing, bearing in mind (=because of) the problem of homelessness.
6 . with somebody/something in mind considering someone or something when doing something, and taking suitable action:
Most gardens designed with children in mind are safe but dull.
With these aims in mind, the school operates a broad-based curriculum.
7 . on your/sb’s mind
a) if something is on your mind, you keep thinking or worrying about it:
He looked as though he had something on his mind.
Sorry I forgot. I’ve got a lot on my mind (=a lot of problems to worry about) at the moment.
b) if something is on your mind, that is what you are thinking about:
She’s the type of person who just says what’s on her mind.
8 . get/put somebody/something out of your mind ( also put somebody/something to the back of your mind ) to stop yourself thinking about someone or something:
I just can’t seem to get her out of my mind.
You’ve got to try and put him out of your mind.
She put her disappointment to the back of her mind and concentrated on Dana.
9 . cross/enter sb’s mind ( also come into sb’s mind ) [not in progressive] if something crosses your mind, you have a thought or idea:
It never crossed my mind that Lisa might be lying.
Suddenly a horrible thought came into my mind.
10 . go/run/flash etc through sb’s mind if something goes through your mind, you have a thought, especially for a short time:
She knew what was going through his mind.
All kinds of questions ran through my mind.
After the accident, one of the things that went through my mind was whether I would be able to drive again.
11 . come/spring to mind [not in progressive] if something comes or springs to mind, you suddenly or immediately think of it:
I just used the first excuse which sprang to mind.
A memory of last night came to mind, and he smiled.
Fatherhood doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think of James.
► Do not say that something ‘comes to your mind’ or ‘springs to your mind’. Say that it comes to mind or springs to mind.
12 . CHARACTER [countable] used to talk about the way that someone thinks and the type of thoughts they have:
He has a very devious mind.
My naturally suspicious mind thought he might be lying.
13 . INTELLIGENCE [countable usually singular] your intelligence and ability to think, rather than your emotions:
a mind trained to react with split-second accuracy
a brilliant/enquiring/logical etc mind
a bright child with an enquiring mind
14 . INTELLIGENT PERSON [countable] someone who is very intelligent, especially in a particular subject or activity SYN brain :
This is one of the issues that has most interested military minds.
Some of the finest minds in the country are working on the project.
15 . state/frame of mind the way someone is thinking and feeling at a particular time:
What happened had a lot to do with my state of mind at the time.
in a good/positive/relaxed etc frame of mind
She returned from lunch in a happier frame of mind.
in the right/wrong frame of mind
You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well.
16 . to/in my mind used to show you are giving your opinion about something SYN in my opinion :
The Internet, to my mind, represents information exchange at its best.
17 . go/turn over something in your mind to keep thinking about something because you are trying to understand it or solve a problem:
Corbett rode along, turning over in his mind what Bruce had said.
18 . be the last thing on sb’s mind ( also be the furthest thing from sb’s mind ) to be the thing that someone is least likely to be thinking about:
Insurance was the last thing on my mind when we set off that day.
19 . take/keep/get sb’s mind off something to make someone stop thinking and worrying about something:
Going back to work helped take my mind off Ian’s death.
Want a game? It might take your mind off things.
20 . set/put sb’s mind at rest ( also set/put sb’s mind at ease ) to make someone feel less worried or anxious:
If you’re worried, see a doctor to set your mind at rest.
21 . it/that is a load/weight off sb’s mind informal used to say that someone does not have to worry about something any more
22 . prey on sb’s mind ( also play on sb’s mind ) if a problem preys on your mind, you cannot stop thinking about it:
Finally, she broached the subject that had been playing on her mind for days.
23 . no one in their right mind ... ( also who in their right mind ...? ) informal used to say that someone must be stupid or crazy to do something:
Who in their right mind would want to do that job?
No woman in her right mind would go out with a man like him.
24 . be out of your mind informal to be stupid or crazy:
He must have been out of his mind to employ her.
25 . be out of your mind with worry/grief etc ( also be worried/bored etc out of your mind ) to be extremely worried, bored etc:
It was getting late and I was out of my mind with worry.
26 . go out of your mind ( also lose your mind ) informal to become mentally ill or very worried, bored etc SYN go crazy :
Nicole looked at him as if he’d gone out of his mind.
27 . sb’s mind goes blank ( also sb’s mind is a blank ) informal if your mind goes blank, you suddenly cannot remember something:
For some inexplicable reason, her mind went completely blank.
His heart was thumping and his mind was a complete blank.
28 . go (right/clean) out of sb’s mind ( also slip sb’s mind ) if something goes out of your mind, you forget it, especially because you are very busy:
I’m sorry. So much has been happening, it went clean out of my mind.
It had completely slipped her mind that Dave still had a key to the house.
29 . bring/call something to mind
a) to make you think of someone or something SYN remind somebody of something :
The wine’s sweet nutty taste calls to mind roasted chestnuts.
b) formal to remember something:
The only thing I could call to mind was something my mother once said.
30 . put somebody in mind of somebody/something [not in progressive] formal to remind someone of someone or something:
The girl put me in mind of my own daughter.
31 . stick/stay in sb’s mind if a name, fact etc sticks in your mind, you remember it for a long time:
For some reason, the name really stuck in Joe’s mind.
One line from the poem had stayed in her mind.
32 . be of one mind/of the same mind/of like mind formal to have the same opinions as someone else:
It can be difficult to meet others of like mind.
be of one mind/of the same mind/of like mind on/about
The council and the government are of one mind on the long-term objective.
33 . have a mind of your own
a) to have strong opinions about things, and make your own decisions without being influenced by other people:
She’s a woman without fear, with a mind of her own, who says what she thinks.
b) if an object has a mind of its own, it seems to control itself and does not work or move in the way you want it to:
The bicycle seemed to have a mind of its own and I couldn’t steer it straight.
34 . put/set/turn your mind to something to decide that you want to achieve something and try very hard to do it:
I think anyone can lose weight if they set their mind to it.
35 . sb’s mind is not on something if your mind is not on what you are doing, you are not thinking much about it because you are thinking or worrying about something else:
His mind didn’t seem to be on the game at all.
36 . keep your mind on something to keep paying attention to something, even though it is difficult:
He could hardly keep his mind on what she was saying.
keep your mind on the job/task in/at hand
Making notes is the best way of keeping your mind on the task at hand.
37 . sb’s mind wanders if your mind wanders, you no longer pay attention to something, especially because you are bored:
Her mind was beginning to wander.
38 . sb’s mind is racing if your mind is racing, you are thinking very quickly and hard about something because you are excited, frightened etc:
He tried to reassure her, but Carrie’s mind was racing.
39 . it’s all in the mind used to tell someone that they have imagined something and it does not really exist:
He’s one of those doctors who say you’re not really sick and it’s all in the mind.
40 . in your mind’s eye if you see something in your mind’s eye, you imagine or remember clearly what it looks like:
She paused, imagining the scene in her mind’s eye.
41 . have it in mind formal to intend to do something
have it in mind to do something
For a long time I had it in mind to write a book about my experiences.
have it in mind that
I had it in mind that one day I might move to Spain.
42 . have half a mind to do something spoken
a) ( also have a good mind to do something ) used to say that you might do something to show that you disapprove of something someone has done:
I’ve a good mind to tell him exactly what I think.
I’ve half a mind to stop him seeing her altogether.
b) used to say that you may decide to do something:
I’ve half a mind to come with you tomorrow.
43 . mind over matter used to say that you can use your thoughts to control physical feelings or an unpleasant situation:
I’m scared, yes, but it’s a case of mind over matter.
⇨ in/at the back of your mind at ↑ back 2 (6), ⇨ blow sb’s mind at ↑ blow 1 (15), ⇨ cast your mind back at ↑ cast 1 (9), ⇨ a closed mind at ↑ closed (4), ⇨ be in/at/to the forefront of sb’s mind/attention at ↑ forefront (2), ⇨ give somebody a piece of your mind at ↑ piece 1 (13), ⇨ great minds think alike at ↑ great 1 (15), ⇨ know your own mind at ↑ know 1 (50), ⇨ the mind boggles at ↑ boggle , ⇨ meeting of minds at ↑ meeting (5), ⇨ ↑ one-track mind , ⇨ an open mind at ↑ open 1 (16), ⇨ out of sight, out of mind at ↑ sight 1 (8), ⇨ peace of mind at ↑ peace (3), ⇨ ↑ presence of mind , ⇨ read sb’s mind at ↑ read 1 (15), ⇨ set your heart/mind/sights on (doing) something at ↑ set 1 (13), ⇨ be of sound mind at ↑ sound 3 (5), ⇨ speak your mind at ↑ speak (7), ⇨ be in two minds at ↑ two (9)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ mind what you use to think and imagine things:
My mind was full of big ideas.
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I never know what's going on in her mind.
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At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I’d met her somewhere before.
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The same thoughts kept going through my mind and I couldn’t get to sleep.
▪ head the place where someone’s mind is – use this especially when talking about the thoughts that are in someone’s mind:
I can't get him out of my head.
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You need to get it into your head that you've done nothing wrong.
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To keep myself calm, I counted to ten in my head.
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She’s so quiet – you never quite know what’s going on inside her head (=what she is thinking) .
▪ subconscious the part of your mind that influences the way you think or behave, even though you may not realize this is happening, and which makes you have dreams:
She suddenly remembered a traumatic incident that had been buried deep in her subconscious.
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During the daytime our conscious minds are active, but during the night the subconscious takes over.
▪ psyche formal someone’s mind, especially their feelings and attitudes, and the way these influence their character - used especially when talking about people's minds in general:
The need for love is deeply buried in our psyche.
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Freud has provided an account of the human psyche's stages of development.
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The child is simply searching his psyche to find some past event that relates to his new experiences.
▪ mentality a particular way of thinking that a group of people have, especially one that you think is wrong or bad:
I just don't understand the mentality of these people.
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They all seem to have a kind of victim mentality, which makes them think that the world is permanently against them.
▪ the ego technical the part of your mind that gives you your sense of who you are - used especially in Freudian psychology:
the rational world of the ego and the irrational world of the unconscious
II. mind 2 S1 W2 BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ mind , ↑ minder , ↑ reminder ; adjective : ↑ mindless , ↑ minded , ↑ mindful ; verb : ↑ mind , ↑ remind ; adverb : ↑ mindlessly ]
1 . FEEL ANNOYED [intransitive, transitive not in progressive or passive, usually in questions and negatives] to feel annoyed or upset about something ⇨ object :
I don’t mind the heat, in fact I quite like it.
The expression on Dan’s face showed that he did mind, very much.
I wouldn’t have minded if she’d asked me first.
mind doing something
Did you mind being away from home for so long?
mind somebody doing something
Don’t your parents mind you staying out so late?
mind that
He didn’t mind that other people in the village thought him odd.
REGISTER
The expression mind/not mind (something) is used especially in spoken English. In written English, people often use object/not object (to something) instead:
▪
Many people do not object to paying higher taxes for better services.
▪
Would you object if we changed a few details?
2 . not mind doing something to be willing to do something:
I don’t mind driving if you’re tired.
3 . NOT CARE WHICH ONE not mind [intransitive, transitive not in progressive or passive] especially British English if you do not mind what someone does or what happens, you do not have a strong opinion about it:
‘Do you want to go out now or later?’ ‘I don’t really mind.’
not mind what/who/where etc
I don’t mind where we go.
4 . mind your own business informal to not ask questions about a situation that does not involve you:
Why don’t you just mind your own business and leave me in peace?
I wish he’d mind his own business.
5 . be minding your own business to be doing something ordinary on your own when something unexpected happens to you:
My father was just driving along, minding his own business, when suddenly a brick came through the window.
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
6 . never mind
a) used to tell someone not to worry or be upset about something:
‘We haven’t done very well, have we?’ ‘Never mind. At least we tried.’
never mind about
Never mind about the car. You’re safe, and that’s the main thing.
b) used to say that something is not possible or likely, because even a less extreme thing is not possible or likely:
Well, you would have hardly got a bed in that room, never mind anything else.
I don’t think I could walk that far, never mind run that far.
c) used to tell someone that it is not important to do or consider something now, often because something else is more important:
Never mind me – what about you? What have you been doing?
Never mind the dishes – I’ll do them later.
never mind doing something
Never mind looking at the boys, we’re supposed to be playing tennis.
never mind why/how etc
Never mind how I got here. Tell me what happened.
7 . I wouldn’t mind (doing) something used to say that you would like something:
‘Can I get you anything to drink?’ ‘I wouldn’t mind a coffee.’
She’s gorgeous! I wouldn’t mind looking like that!
8 . would/do you mind ...?
a) used to politely ask someone’s permission
would you mind if
Would you mind if I opened the window?
Would you mind if I came with you?
I’ll have to leave early, do you mind?
b) used to politely ask someone to do something
would you mind doing something?
Would you mind waiting outside?
‘Do you want me to carry this bag for you?’ ‘Would you mind?’
c) used to angrily ask or tell someone to do something
would you mind doing something?
Would you mind telling me what you’re doing in here?
Would you mind shutting up for a minute?
9 . mind you ( also mind ) British English used when saying something that is almost the opposite of what you have just said, or that explains or emphasizes it:
He looks very young in this photo. Mind you, it was taken years ago.
I love hot weather, but not too hot, mind.
10 . WARNING mind! British English used to warn someone to be careful because they might hurt themselves or someone else, or damage something:
Mind that bike, James!
Mind you don’t fall!
mind your head/fingers etc
Mind your head – the ceiling’s a bit low.
mind how/where/who etc
It’s slippery, so mind where you’re walking!
11 . mind how you go British English used when saying goodbye to someone, to tell them to take care
12 . mind you do something British English used to tell someone to do something:
Mind you behave yourself.
13 . never you mind especially British English used to tell someone that you are not going to tell them something because it is private or secret:
‘What’s that you were saying to Dad?’ ‘Never you mind.’
14 . do you mind! used to say to someone that you are annoyed with them because of something they have just done or said:
Do you mind! I just washed that floor!
15 . if you don’t mind ( also if you wouldn’t mind )
a) used to check that someone is willing to do something or let you do something:
If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go to bed now.
I’d like to stay a while longer if you don’t mind.
We’ll go there together – that’s if you don’t mind.
b) used when you are annoyed to tell someone what to do or what you are going to do:
Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to bed.
c) used humorously or rudely to correct something someone has said:
The name’s John, not Jonathan, if you don’t mind.
d) used to refuse someone’s offer politely:
‘Do you want to come for a drink?’ ‘I won’t if you don’t mind. I’ve got a lot of work to do.’
16 . if you don’t mind my saying so/if you don’t mind me asking used when you are saying or asking something that you think might offend someone:
You’re looking tired, if you don’t mind my saying so.
How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?
17 . I don’t mind admitting/telling you/saying etc used to emphasize what you are saying, especially when it could make you seem silly:
I don’t mind admitting that I was really scared.
18 . don’t mind me
a) used to tell someone not to pay any attention to you:
If you want to get on and do something, please don’t mind me.
b) used when you are annoyed because someone is not paying any attention to you:
Don’t mind me! I only live here!
19 . don’t mind her/him etc used to say sorry for someone else’s behaviour:
Don’t mind her. She doesn’t mean to be hurtful.
20 . (I) don’t mind if I do old-fashioned used humorously to accept something such as food or drink that has been offered to you
21 . TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING/SOMEBODY [transitive] British English
a) to be responsible for something for a short time SYN watch :
Will you mind my bag while I buy my ticket?
b) to take care of a child while their parents are not there SYN look after :
My sister minds the baby while I’m at yoga.
22 . mind the shop British English , mind the store American English informal to be in charge of something, while the person who is usually in charge is not there
23 . mind your manners/language/p’s and q’s to be careful about what you say or how you behave so that you do not offend anyone:
She gave him a frown and told him to mind his manners.
24 . OBEY [transitive not in progressive] American English to obey someone’s instructions or advice:
Some dogs will mind instructions better than others.
mind out phrasal verb [always in imperative or infinitive] British English
used to warn someone to be careful SYN be careful :
Mind out. The plates are hot.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ take care of somebody ( also look after somebody especially British English ) to make sure a child or an old or sick person is safe and has the things they need:
I have to look after my little brother.
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Taking care of a baby is hard work.
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She is taking care of her grandmother while her grandfather is in hospital.
▪ care for somebody to take care of someone. Care for somebody is less common and more formal than take care of/look after somebody :
He was cared for by a team of nurses.
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Caring for an elderly relative can be very rewarding.
▪ nurse to look after someone who is ill:
He nursed his wife through a long illness.
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The monks nursed him back to health (=looked after him until he was well again) .
▪ babysit to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere:
I’ll ask Jane to babysit on Wednesday night.
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He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights.
▪ mind British English to look after a child while their parents are not there, especially for a short time:
Will you mind the baby while I go to the shop?