1mind 
/ˈmaɪnd/ noun
plural minds /ˈmaɪnd/ noun 1 : the part of a person that thinks, reasons, feels, and remembers [count] ▪ He read great literature to develop/cultivate his mind. ▪ It's important to keep your mind active as you grow older. ▪ He went for a walk to help clear his mind. ▪ the mysteries of the human mind ▪ My mind is always open to new ideas. ▪ You can't argue with him. His mind is closed. ▪ I can't concentrate: my mind is always wandering and I can't keep it focused on anything. ▪ Let me get this clear/straight in my mind [=let me understand this clearly]: are you saying that she was lying to me all along? ▪ I can't get that image out of my mind. = I can't stop seeing that image in my mind. = That image is stuck in my mind. ▪ The smell of pine sends my mind back to childhood. ▪ The sound of her voice jerked my mind back to the present. ▪ My mind tells me it can't work, but my heart tells me I want to try it. ▪ We must appeal to and win (over) the hearts and minds of the people. [=the emotions and the reasoning of the people] ▪ His conscious mind had forgotten the incident, but the memory of it was still buried somewhere in his subconscious/unconscious mind. ▪ There's absolutely no doubt in my mind about his guilt. [=I am sure that he is guilty] ▪ I know you're disappointed by their decision, but you should just put that out of your mind [=stop thinking about that] and go back to work. ▪ I'll handle the schedule. Just put it out of your mind. [=don't think or worry about it] ▪ Is there something on your mind? [=is there something troubling you?; are you worried or bothered about something?] ▪ Why don't you just say what's on your mind? [=why don't you just say what you are thinking?] ▪ I wish there were some way I could ease your (troubled) mind. = I wish there were some way I could set/put your mind at ease/rest. [=could make you stop worrying] ▪ These problems have been preying/weighing on his mind. [=he has been worrying about these problems] ▪ The safety of the children should be foremost/uppermost in all our minds now. [=we should all be thinking most about the safety of the children now] ▪ The idea that we might lose was the furthest thing from my mind. [=I never thought that we might lose] ▪ I have no intention of quitting my job. Nothing could be further from my mind. ▪ She says that getting married again is the last thing on her mind right now. [=she is not thinking at all about getting married again] ▪ What was going/running through your mind [=what were you thinking] when you agreed to do this? ▪ His name slips/escapes my mind at the moment. [=I can't remember his name] ◊If something (such as an illness) is all in your/the mind, you are imagining it.
▪ He thinks he's very ill, but it's all in his mind. ◊If your mind is set on something or you have your mind set on something, you are very determined to do or to get something.
▪ Her mind is set on becoming a doctor. = She has her mind set on becoming a doctor. [noncount] ▪ It's important to be healthy in both body and mind. ▪ He's in a bad/good state of mind. [=he's in a bad/good mood] ▪ Installing a security system in your home will give you greater peace of mind. [=a feeling of being safe or protected] — see also frame of mind, presence of mind 2 [count] — used to describe the way a person thinks or the intelligence of a person ▪ She has a brilliant mind. ▪ He has an inquisitive/inquiring mind. ▪ He's an evil man with a warped/twisted mind. ▪ He's recognized as having one of the sharpest minds [=intellects] in this field. 3 — used in phrases that describe someone as mentally ill or crazy ▪ There's something wrong with him. He's not in his right mind. [=he is mentally ill] ▪ No one in their right mind would try such a stunt. = Who in their right mind would try such a stunt? ▪ (law) She claims that her father was not of sound mind when he changed his will. = She claims her father was of unsound mind. [=was not sane or rational] — usually used informally in an exaggerated way ▪ What a ridiculous idea! You must be out of your mind [=crazy] to believe that. ▪ I was (going) out of my mind with worry. [=I was extremely worried] ▪ I feel like I'm losing my mind. = I feel like I'm going out of my mind. [=I feel like I'm going crazy] ▪ That noise is driving me out of my mind! [=driving me crazy] ◊The phrase out of your mind is also used informally to make a statement stronger.
▪ I was bored out of my mind. [=I was very bored] ▪ She was frightened out of her mind. 4 [count] : a very intelligent person
▪ Many of the world's greatest minds in physics will be attending the convention. 5 [noncount] : a particular way of thinking about a situation
▪ Everyone at the meeting was of like mind [=everyone agreed] about how to proceed. ▪ She is of the same mind as me. [=she agrees with me] ▪ We're all of one mind about him [=we all agree about him]: he's the one we want. ▪ To/In my mind, that's wrong. 6 [noncount] : attention that is given to a person or thing
▪ Try to relax and take/get/keep your mind off your problems. [=stop thinking about your problems] ▪ I'm finding it hard to keep my mind on my work. [=to concentrate on my work] ▪ After finishing work on the remodeling project, she was able to turn her mind to [=direct her attention to; work on] other matters. ▪ Don't pay him any mind. [=don't pay attention to him; ignore him] ▪ He kept talking but she paid him no mind. ▪ You shouldn't pay any/much mind to what he says.
▪ He thinks he's very ill, but it's all in his mind. ◊If your mind is set on something or you have your mind set on something, you are very determined to do or to get something.
▪ Her mind is set on becoming a doctor. = She has her mind set on becoming a doctor. [noncount] ▪ It's important to be healthy in both body and mind. ▪ He's in a bad/good state of mind. [=he's in a bad/good mood] ▪ Installing a security system in your home will give you greater peace of mind. [=a feeling of being safe or protected] — see also frame of mind, presence of mind
▪ I was bored out of my mind. [=I was very bored] ▪ She was frightened out of her mind.
▪ Many of the world's greatest minds in physics will be attending the convention.
▪ Everyone at the meeting was of like mind [=everyone agreed] about how to proceed. ▪ She is of the same mind as me. [=she agrees with me] ▪ We're all of one mind about him [=we all agree about him]: he's the one we want. ▪ To/In my mind, that's wrong.
▪ Try to relax and take/get/keep your mind off your problems. [=stop thinking about your problems] ▪ I'm finding it hard to keep my mind on my work. [=to concentrate on my work] ▪ After finishing work on the remodeling project, she was able to turn her mind to [=direct her attention to; work on] other matters. ▪ Don't pay him any mind. [=don't pay attention to him; ignore him] ▪ He kept talking but she paid him no mind. ▪ You shouldn't pay any/much mind to what he says.
a meeting of (the) minds — see meeting
at/in the back of your mind — see 1back
blow someone's mind
informal : to strongly affect someone's mind with shock, confusion, etc. : to amaze or overwhelm someone's mind
▪ The music really blew my mind. ▪ The thought of all she's accomplished at such a young age just blows my mind. — see also mind-blowing
▪ The music really blew my mind. ▪ The thought of all she's accomplished at such a young age just blows my mind. — see also mind-blowing
call/bring (something) to mind
: to cause (something) to be remembered or thought of
▪ Seeing her again brought to mind the happy times we spent together in college.
▪ Seeing her again brought to mind the happy times we spent together in college.
change someone's mind
: to cause someone to change an opinion or decision
▪ I tried to convince her, but I couldn't change her mind.
▪ I tried to convince her, but I couldn't change her mind.
change your mind
: to change your decision or opinion about something
▪ He wasn't going to come, but at the last minute he changed his mind. ▪ I tried to convince her, but she wouldn't change her mind.
▪ He wasn't going to come, but at the last minute he changed his mind. ▪ I tried to convince her, but she wouldn't change her mind.
come/spring/leap to mind
: to be remembered or thought of
▪ What comes to mind when you hear his name? ▪ I didn't mean to offend you. I just said the first thing that came to/into my mind.
▪ What comes to mind when you hear his name? ▪ I didn't mean to offend you. I just said the first thing that came to/into my mind.
concentrate the/your mind — see 1concentrate
cross someone's mind — see 2cross
enter your mind — see enter
give someone a piece of your mind
: to speak to someone in an angry way
▪ He stopped making so much noise after I went over there and gave him a piece of my mind.
▪ He stopped making so much noise after I went over there and gave him a piece of my mind.
have a good mind or have half a mind
◊If you have a good mind or have half a mind to do something, you have a feeling that you want to do it, especially because you are angry or annoyed, but you will probably not do it.
▪ I have a good mind to go over there and tell him to be quiet. ▪ I have half a mind to tell her what I really think of her.
▪ I have a good mind to go over there and tell him to be quiet. ▪ I have half a mind to tell her what I really think of her.
have a mind like a sieve — see 1sieve
have a mind of your own
: to have your own ideas and make your own choices about what should be done
▪ Her parents want her to go to college, but she has a mind of her own and she insists on trying to become an actress. — often used figuratively ▪ I can't get the camera to work right. It seems to have a mind of its own.
▪ Her parents want her to go to college, but she has a mind of her own and she insists on trying to become an actress. — often used figuratively ▪ I can't get the camera to work right. It seems to have a mind of its own.
have (someone or something) in mind
: to be thinking of (someone or something): such as a : to be thinking of choosing (someone) for a job, position, etc.
▪ They have you in mind for the job. [=they are thinking of giving the job to you]
b : to be thinking of doing (something)
▪ “I'd like to do something special for our anniversary.” “What sort of thing did you have in mind?” ▪ He had it in mind [=intended] to leave the business to his daughter.
▪ They have you in mind for the job. [=they are thinking of giving the job to you]
b : to be thinking of doing (something)
▪ “I'd like to do something special for our anniversary.” “What sort of thing did you have in mind?” ▪ He had it in mind [=intended] to leave the business to his daughter.
in mind
: in your thoughts
▪ We designed this product with people like you in mind. [=we designed it for people like you] ▪ He went into the bar with trouble in mind. [=intending to cause trouble] ▪ Before you disregard his advice, keep/bear in mind [=remember] that he is regarded as one of the leading experts in this field. ▪ We have a limited amount of money to spend, and we need to keep that in mind [=think of that; consider that] while we're planning our vacation.
▪ We designed this product with people like you in mind. [=we designed it for people like you] ▪ He went into the bar with trouble in mind. [=intending to cause trouble] ▪ Before you disregard his advice, keep/bear in mind [=remember] that he is regarded as one of the leading experts in this field. ▪ We have a limited amount of money to spend, and we need to keep that in mind [=think of that; consider that] while we're planning our vacation.
in your mind's eye — see 1eye
know your own mind — see 1know
make up your mind
: to make a decision about something
▪ I can't make up my mind [=decide] where to take my vacation. ▪ He had made up his mind not to go. ▪ He's thinking about going, but he still hasn't made up his mind (about it). ▪ He's not going. His mind is made up. [=he has made a decision and will not change it] ▪ I can't decide for you. You'll have to make up your own mind.
▪ I can't make up my mind [=decide] where to take my vacation. ▪ He had made up his mind not to go. ▪ He's thinking about going, but he still hasn't made up his mind (about it). ▪ He's not going. His mind is made up. [=he has made a decision and will not change it] ▪ I can't decide for you. You'll have to make up your own mind.
mind over matter
— used to describe a situation in which someone is able to control a physical condition, problem, etc., by using the mind ▪ His ability to keep going even when he is tired is a simple question of mind over matter.
of two minds (US) or Brit in two minds
: not decided or certain about something : having two opinions or ideas about something
▪ I can't make up my mind where to take my vacation: I'm of two minds about where to go. ▪ I'm of two minds about (hiring) him: he seems well-qualified, but he doesn't have much experience.
▪ I can't make up my mind where to take my vacation: I'm of two minds about where to go. ▪ I'm of two minds about (hiring) him: he seems well-qualified, but he doesn't have much experience.
open your mind — see 2open
put (someone) in mind of (something)
: to cause (someone) to remember or think of (something)
▪ What happened to you yesterday puts me in mind of [=reminds me of] what happened to me a year ago.
▪ What happened to you yesterday puts me in mind of [=reminds me of] what happened to me a year ago.
put/set your mind to (something)
: to give your attention to (something) and try very hard to do it
▪ You'd be surprised at what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. ▪ We can solve this problem if we put our minds to it.
▪ You'd be surprised at what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. ▪ We can solve this problem if we put our minds to it.
read someone's mind
: to know exactly what someone is thinking
▪ “I think we should go out to a movie tonight.” “You read my mind. I was thinking the same thing.” ▪ It's as if you could read my mind. ▪ He claims that he has the ability to read minds. — see also mind reader
▪ “I think we should go out to a movie tonight.” “You read my mind. I was thinking the same thing.” ▪ It's as if you could read my mind. ▪ He claims that he has the ability to read minds. — see also mind reader
speak your mind
: to say what you think : to state your opinion
▪ If you don't agree with him, don't be afraid to speak your mind.
▪ If you don't agree with him, don't be afraid to speak your mind.
take a load/weight off your mind
: to make you stop worrying about something
▪ Hearing that she's safe has really taken a load off my mind!
▪ Hearing that she's safe has really taken a load off my mind!
