26 PHRASE If something is on your mind , you are worried or concerned about it and think about it a lot. □ This game has been on my mind all week. □ I just forgot. I've had a lot on my mind.
27 PHRASE If your mind is on something or you have your mind on something, you are thinking about that thing. □ At school I was always in trouble–my mind was never on my work.
28 PHRASE If you have an open mind , you avoid forming an opinion or making a decision until you know all the facts. □ It's hard to see it any other way, though I'm trying to keep an open mind.
29 PHRASE If something opens your mind to new ideas or experiences, it makes you more willing to accept them or try them. □ She also stimulated his curiosity and opened his mind to other cultures.
30 PHRASE If you say that someone is out of their mind , you mean that they are mad or very foolish. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?
31 PHRASE If you say that someone is out of their mind with a feeling such as worry or fear, you are emphasizing that they are extremely worried or afraid. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ]
32 PHRASE If you say that someone is, for example, bored out of their mind , scared out of their mind , or stoned out of their mind , you are emphasizing that they are extremely bored, scared, or affected by drugs. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ]
33 PHRASE If you put your mind to something, you start making an effort to do it. □ You could do fine in the world if you put your mind to it.
34 PHRASE If something puts you in mind of something else, it reminds you of it because it is similar to it or is associated with it. □ This put me in mind of something Patrick said many years ago.
35 PHRASE If you can read someone's mind , you know what they are thinking without them saying anything. □ Don't expect others to read your mind.
36 PHRASE To put someone's mind at rest or set their mind at rest means to stop them worrying about something. □ It may be advisable to have a blood test to put your mind at rest.
37 PHRASE If you say that nobody in their right mind would do a particular thing, you are emphasizing that it is an irrational thing to do and you would be surprised if anyone did it. [EMPHASIS ] □ No one in their right mind would make such a major purchase without asking questions.
38 PHRASE If you set your mind on something or have your mind set on it, you are determined to do it or obtain it. □ When Alice sets her mind on something, she invariably finds a way to achieve it.
39 PHRASE If something slips your mind , you forget it. □ I was going to mention it, but it slipped my mind.
40 PHRASE If you speak your mind , you say firmly and honestly what you think about a situation, even if this may offend or upset people. □ Martina Navratilova has never been afraid to speak her mind.
41 PHRASE If something sticks in your mind , it remains firmly in your memory. □ I've always been fond of poetry and one piece has always stuck in my mind.
42 PHRASE If something takes your mind off a problem or unpleasant situation, it helps you to forget about it for a while. □ 'How about a game of tennis?' suggested Alan. 'That'll take your mind off things.'
43 PHRASE You say or write to my mind to indicate that the statement you are making is your own opinion. □ There are scenes in this play which to my mind are incredibly violent.
44 PHRASE If you are in two minds , you are uncertain about what to do, especially when you have to choose between two courses of action. The expression of two minds is also used, especially in American English. □ [+ about ] Like many parents, I am in two minds about school uniforms.
45 to give someone a piece of your mind → see piece
➋ mind ◆◇◇ /ma I nd/ (minds , minding , minded )
→ Please look at category 21 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If you do not mind something, you are not annoyed or bothered by it. □ [V n/v-ing] I don't mind the noise during the day. □ [V n/v-ing] Do you mind being alone? □ [V n v-ing] I hope you don't mind me calling in like this, without an appointment. □ [V ] It involved a little extra work, but nobody seemed to mind.
2 VERB You use mind in the expressions ' do you mind? ' and ' would you mind? ' as a polite way of asking permission or asking someone to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ [V if] Do you mind if I ask you one more thing? □ [V v-ing] Would you mind waiting outside for a moment? □ [V ] 'Would you like me to read that for you?'—'If you wouldn't mind, please.'
3 VERB If someone does not mind what happens or what something is like, they do not have a strong preference for any particular thing. □ [V wh] I don't mind what we play, really.
4 VERB [usu imper] If you tell someone to mind something, you are warning them to be careful not to hurt themselves or other people, or damage something. [BRIT ] □ [V n] Mind that bike! in AM, usually use watch 5 VERB You use mind when you are reminding someone to do something or telling them to be careful not to do something. [BRIT ] □ [V that] Mind you don't burn those sausages. in AM, usually use make sure , take care 6 VERB If you mind a child or something such as a shop or luggage, you look after it, usually while the person who owns it or is usually responsible for it is somewhere else. [BRIT ] □ [V n] Jim Coulters will mind the store while I'm away. in AM, usually use take care of , watch