mind1 nounmind2 verb
mindmind1 /maɪnd/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 
WORD ORIGINmind1
Origin:
Old English gemyndEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I'd met her somewhere before.
- Cuomo is one of our foremost political minds.
- Dave struggled hard to push these worries out of his mind.
- Grandma's body is wearing out, but her mind is as sharp as ever.
- His mind was full of big ideas for developing the company.
- I don't really have a scientific mind.
- I made up my mind I was going to retire.
- I never know what's going on in her mind.
- It's hard to understand what's going on in Susanna's mind.
- It was an interesting idea. Jeff turned it over in his mind on the way to work.
- O'Rourke has a very devious mind.
- Peacher has an incredibly good mind.
- She had a picture of him in her mind - tall, blond and handsome.
- The same thoughts kept going through my mind and I couldn't get to sleep.
- The teacher talked on and on and my mind began to wander.
- At night, while he slept, his mind was still full of music.
- But planners changed their mind as they realized the channels would have to be bigger and bigger.
- But those wines give only momentary pleasure and thereafter the senses are dulled and the mind is clouded.
- He is reputed to have been an able administrator with a keen mind for commerce.
- In his mind, Jim could vividly picture the red bulb of the thermometer in the relaxation exercise Miller had given him.
- Keep that in mind because without it all the fine planning in the world will never be translated into action.
- Then, since the reality of my situation could hardly be worse, my mind turned once again to philosophy.
- We can not see them or turn our minds from them.
THESAURUS
what you use to think and imagine things: · My mind was full of big ideas.· I never know what’s going on in her mind.· At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I’d met her somewhere before.· The same thoughts kept going through my mind and I couldn’t get to sleep.
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.· You need to get it into your head that you’ve done nothing wrong.· To keep myself calm, I counted to ten in my head.· She’s so quiet – you never quite know what’s going on inside her head (=what she is thinking).
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.· During the daytime our conscious minds are active, but during the night the subconscious takes over.
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.· Freud has provided an account of the human psyche’s stages of development.· The child is simply searching his psyche to find some past event that relates to his new experiences.
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.· They all seem to have a kind of victim mentality, which makes them think that the world is permanently against them.
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
Longman Language Activatoryour mind what you use to think and imagine things: · His mind was full of big ideas for developing the company.· Dave struggled hard to push these worries out of his mind. (=try not to think about them)in your mind: · She had a picture of him in her mind - tall, blond and handsome.at the back of your mind (=when an idea is not very clear or certain): · At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I'd met her somewhere before.go/run through your mind (=): · The same thoughts kept going through my mind and I couldn't get to sleep.turn something over in your mind (=think about something carefully): · It was an interesting idea. Jeff turned it over in his mind on the way to work.what's going on in somebody's mind (=what somebody is thinking): · I never know what's going on in her mind.your mind wanders (=you cannot make yourself concentrate on a particular subject , and you start thinking about other things): · The teacher talked on and on and my mind began to wander.
your ability to think and the way that you think: · My brain worked fast as I tried to decide what to do.· Branson has an excellent business brain.
someone's mind - use this especially when talking about the thoughts that are in someone's mind: · Dan's head was full of big ideas.what's going on in somebody's head (=what somebody is thinking): · She's so quiet - you never quite know what's going on inside her head.
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: the subconscious: · When you go to sleep it is only the conscious mind that shuts down. The subconscious cannot do so.somebody's subconscious: · Our subconscious plays tricks with us sometimes and we may imagine that we are seeing things such as ghosts.
formal someone's mind, especially their feelings and attitudes, and the way these influence their character: · The need for love is deeply buried in our psyche.· the fragile psyche of a teenagerthe human/female/American etc psyche (=the typical psyche of a human, female etc): · Freud has provided an account of the human psyche's different stages of development.
affecting your mind affecting your mind or happening in your mind: · After months of overworking, Briggs was suffering from mental and physical exhaustion.· It takes a lot of mental effort to understand these ideas.mental picture/image (=a picture that you have in your mind): · I'd never met Jane's boyfriend, but I had a clear mental picture of what he looked like.mental illness/problem/breakdown (=an illness, problem etc of your mind, not your body): · Rick had a complete mental breakdown after his family died in a car crash.
affecting the mind - use this especially about mental problems that influence the way someone behaves: · The cause of a physical illness can often be psychological.a psychological problem: · She works with children who have psychological problems.
also unconscious subconscious feelings, desires, worries etc are hidden in your mind and you do not realize that you have them: · People who come to me for counselling are very often suffering from unconscious feelings of guilt. · a subconscious fear of failure
subliminal messages and images are hidden in advertisements, pictures etc and can influence your mind without you realizing it: · Any kind of subliminal advertising is illegal on British TV.· Young people are receiving constant subliminal messages glorifying pop stars, their cars, their girlfriends.
to listen and watch carefully to listen to and watch carefully what you are doing, what is happening, or what someone is saying: · Judith never pays attention in class.pay attention to: · The TV was on, but Jamal wasn't really paying attention to it.pay somebody/something attention: · I often find myself nodding and smiling at my children without really paying them much attention.pay close/careful attention: · Lawyers around the country were paying close attention to the trial.
to think very carefully about something that you are doing, without being interrupted: · I tried to read a few pages, but I found it hard to concentrate.concentrate on: · There were so many people talking that I couldn't concentrate on the music.· Sherman sat hunched forward and staring through the windshield, trying to concentrate on the traffic.
your ability to think carefully about what you are doing without being interrupted: · His face was solemn with concentration.concentration on: · Plummer said she plans to continue her concentration on the 3,000 meter race.
to continue to pay attention to something especially when you are very excited or worried about something else: · Just keep your mind on the driving -- I'll figure out where we are.· Bill couldn't keep his mind on anything but the verdict.
to keep watching something carefully, so that you do not make any mistakes: · We had to keep our eyes on the sandy path to avoid the roots and rocks in the way. · Keep your eyes on the ball -- now swing!
to pay attention to and think about something, often allowing it to affect a decision - used especially in writing: · There is a lot of criticism of the new law and a number of politicians are beginning to take notice.take notice/note of: · No one took notice of me until I pulled out my notebook and started writing.· The organization began to take note of its public image.sit up and take note/notice: · As usual, Greenspan's announcement made the financial world sit up and take notice.
someone who is attentive pays careful attention to someone that they are listening to, watching or looking after: · Hecke's new work has something of interest for both the casual and attentive viewer.attentive to: · The crew were extremely attentive to the passengers' safety.
the amount of time that you are able to carefully listen or watch something that is happening without getting tired or bored: have a short/limited attention span: · Kids of his age typically have a very short attention span.
not paying attention to what is happening · What did the announcers just say? I wasn't paying attention.not pay attention to · When you're young, you don't pay attention to what your parents are saying half the time.
to not pay attention because you are thinking about pleasant things or imagining things that you would like to happen: · Blackthorne was sitting alone in a corner of the garden, daydreaming.daydream about: · Almost anyone who has ever read a good book has daydreamed about writing his or her own best-seller.
British informal to stop paying attention to something because you are bored, or to stop thinking about your work after you have finished in the evening and relax: · In the end I got sick of the conversation and switched off.· It's difficult for teachers to switch off when they go home at night.
British spoken to not be paying attention to anything or anyone around you and seem to be thinking about something very different: · Sorry, I was miles away. What did you say?· I don't mean to disturb you, you looked miles away -- but there's a call for you.
if your mind wanders you are no longer paying attention, usually because you are bored or because something is worrying you: · I tried hard to concentrate, but my mind kept wandering.your mind wanders to/from: · His mind wandered to the things he was trying not to think about.let your mind wander: · Corrinne let her mind wander back to the days when they first met.
someone who is inattentive does not pay attention to something when they are expected to: · Roger was hyperactive and inattentive as a child.· In spite of the inattentive servers and the bad decor, it's worth eating at Leon's for the great cheap food. inattentive to: · The government is still being accused of being inattentive to the plight of the Health Service.
if you lose your concentration , you stop being able to think carefully about what you are doing, for example because you are suddenly interrupted: · Sensing that the team was losing their concentration, Barret called a time out.· With too much homework, children may lose concentration and stop progressing.
to change your opinion or belief about something to change your opinion about something or someone: · At first the doctor said I was suffering from a virus, but now he's changed his mind.· Everyone has a right to change their mind.change your mind about: · I'm hoping Dad will change his mind about Louise after he meets her tonight.· I've changed my mind about the Riviera. I do like it after all.
formal to change your opinion because something has happened that has made you realize that you were wrong before: revise your opinion about/of: · Mrs Pemberton revised her opinion of her future son-in-law when he was accepted into law school.· Since visiting the refugee camps, I have revised my opinion about immigration quotas.
to change your mind about something and talk about it in a very different way from how you did before: · She used to be a Communist, but she changed her tune when her parents left her all that money.· You've changed your tune all of a sudden! Only yesterday you were saying you thought Christmas presents were a waste of money.
when you begin to feel differently about something or someone so that your attitude completely changes: · It's hard to explain this apparent change of heart.have a change of heart: · He didn't want kids at first, but he's had quite a change of heart.change of heart about: · We can only hope Congress may have a radical change of heart about welfare benefits.
also come round British to change your mind so that you gradually begin to agree with someone else's idea or opinion, especially after they have persuaded you that they are right: · He'll come around eventually. He doesn't have any choice, does he?· My mother stopped speaking to me when I first married Tom, but she's slowly coming around now.come around to somebody's view/way of thinking: · We had to talk to Sam for a long time before he came round to our way of thinking.come around to the idea/view that: · A lot of employers are coming around to the idea that older employees have a lot to offer a company.come around to doing something: · We're hoping that they'll eventually come round to accepting our offer.
formal to say publicly or formally that you have changed your mind and stopped believing what you used to believe, especially about religion or politics: · During the Moscow Show Trials in the 1930s, prisoners were forced to publicly recant.· After the Reformation, many Catholics recanted to avoid punishment.
to change your decisions, intentions, or plans · No, I'm not going out tonight. I've changed my mind.· What if she changes her mind and doesn't turn up?change your mind about · If you change your mind about the job, just give me a call.· Barry hadn't changed his mind about leaving.
to feel less sure about something that you intended to do, and begin to think that it may not be a good idea: · Couples contemplating divorce often have second thoughts when they realize how it will affect their children.have second thoughts about: · It was obvious that the company was having second thoughts about the whole project.
informal to suddenly feel that you are not brave enough to do something that you intended to do: · A month before the wedding Rose seemed nervous and anxious, and I wondered if she was getting cold feet.· Some investors got cold feet, and pulled out of the project at the last minute.
to change your mind about something you have publicly promised to do, by saying that you will only do part of it or that you might not do it at all: · If union leaders start to backtrack now, they'll lose their supporters.backtrack on: · The President seems to be backtracking on some of his election promises.· There is increased pressure on Congress to backtrack on some of the welfare cuts imposed last year.
to start to feel crazy because you are extremely bored, worried, etc also go mad British informal to start feeling as if you are crazy, especially when you are in a very unpleasant or very boring situation: · I wouldn't last a month in a desk job. I'd just go crazy.· I'd go nuts if I had to get up that early every morning.· If the neighbors don't turn down that music, I'm going to go mad.
to become unable to think clearly or sensibly, especially because you are extremely bored or worried: · If I have to wait in one more line, I'm going to go out of my mind.· I'm with the kids all day, and I feel like I'm losing my mind.
British /go around the bend American informal to start feeling as if you are crazy, for example because you have so much work to do, you are extremely worried about something, or you hate the situation you are in so much: · I had such a heavy workload last semester that I almost went round the bend.· We hadn't heard from our daughter in days, and we were practically going round the bend.
people someone who is crazy does things that are extremely strange or stupid: · My dad told me I was crazy to leave my job.· You agreed to marry him? Are you crazy?· crazy drivers who cause accidents· His friends thought he was crazy when he told them he was going to spend his entire vacation exploring a cave.completely/totally crazy: · Put that gun down! Are you totally crazy?crazy to do something: · You're crazy to lend him all that money - you'll never get it back.
also be crackers British spoken informal to be crazy: · People will think you're crackers if you go around talking to yourself like that.· The guy's completely nuts! He goes around in nothing but a pair of shorts in the middle of winter.
British spoken crazy: · You spent $190 on a pair of shoes? You must be mad!completely mad/barmy: · Monica's new boyfriend is completely barmy. He calls her almost every day from Australia.mad/barmy to do something: · She's mad to turn down an offer like that.· I must have been mad to let myself become involved with someone like Dennis.
especially spoken you say someone is insane or out of their mind if they do something or intend to do something that is completely crazy: · Anyone who would take a boat out in this weather must be insane.· Tell the police? Are you out of your mind?
say this when you think someone is crazy because they have done something that you do not approve of or agree with: · A man who would give his fourteen-year-old son a motorcycle has obviously taken leave of his senses.· If you ask me, anyone who believes in UFOs needs their head examined.
informal also dotty/batty British informal crazy - use this to describe someone, especially an old person, who behaves in a slightly strange but often amusing way: · Grandma can act kind of nutty at times.· My uncle frequently wore shoes which didn't match, and everyone thought he was a bit dotty.· Next door to us lived a batty old lady who used to have long conversations with her plants.
informal someone who is out to lunch or out of their tree behaves in a strange, confused way and does not seem to know what is happening around them: · Our English teacher's really out to lunch -- the class started five weeks ago and she hasn't even asked our names yet.· He is quoted as saying privately that he thinks the former prime minister is 'out of her tree'.
especially American, informal someone who seems unable to think clearly or do what they should do, and behaves in a strange but often amusing way: · Christy was kind of flaky, but everyone liked her.· You couldn't trust Sam to do anything important. He was too flaky.
also be a couple of cans short of a six-pack/be a few clowns short of a circus etc strange and slightly crazy: · I always thought Toby was one sandwich short of a picnic. Do you remember how he would sometimes work naked in the garden? · Come on. Let's face it - nobody trusts the guy because he's at least one clown short of a circus.
informal slightly crazy, often in an amusing way: · "Fernando can be really weird sometimes." "Yeah, he's got a screw loose, no question."
unable to decide about something to not be able to make a decision: · What colour are you going to paint your room?" "I can't make up my mind."can't decide what/whether/how etc: · It was time to go and I still couldn't decide what to wear.· We can't decide whether to go to Greece or Italy this year.
informal to be unable to decide whether or not to do a particular thing: be in two minds about: · My parents want me to study medicine, but I'm still in two minds about it.· Des was in two minds about buying the car, but the salesman persuaded him.be in two minds whether to do something: · I'm in two minds about whether to get a dog or not - it's such a responsibility.
informal to keep changing your mind - use this when you think someone is weak or stupid because they cannot decide about something: · Stop dithering and make up your mind.dither over: · Marcia was still upstairs, dithering over what she should pack.
when someone has not yet decided · "Are you selling your house?" "We haven't decided yet."have not decided what/how/whether etc · I haven't decided what I'm going to get my brother for his birthday.· Steve hasn't made up his mind whether he's in favour of the idea or not.
someone who is undecided has not yet decided about something, especially something important: · "Is Fred going to take the job?'' "He's still undecided.''be undecided about/as to: · A third of the voters remain undecided about how they will vote.be undecided what/ which/whether etc: · He hesitated, undecided whether to go or stay.
to deliberately avoid or delay making an important decision so that you are free to decide later: · New technology's getting cheaper and better all the time, so if I were you I'd keep my options open for a while.· Some presidential candidates keep their options open about policy issues in order to avoid losing any voters.
to decide to do something to make a choice that you are going to do something: · We'll support you whatever you decide.decide to do something: · She decided to tell her mother all about it that evening.decide not to do something: · If you decide not to accept our offer, let me know.decide (that): · I've decided that I really must stop smoking.decide what/how/which etc: · Martha took hours deciding which dress to wear.· Have you decided whether to apply for that job?decide against (doing) something (=decide not to do something): · For a second he thought about using his gun, but decided against it.· I was so tired that I decided against going to the party after all.you decide spoken (=used to tell someone to decide): · I don't mind which restaurant we go to. You decide.
to finally decide that you will definitely do something, after thinking about it: make up your mind what/how/which etc: · I couldn't make up my mind which college I wanted to go to.make your mind up: · You'll have to make your mind up soon, or there won't be any tickets left.make up your mind to do something: · John had made up his mind to forget the past and make a fresh start.make up your mind (that): · She's finally made up her mind that she wants to study Law.
to decide to do something because you want to, without worrying about what other people think: choose to do something: · More and more young couples today are choosing not to marry.· I told him to drive more slowly, but he chose to ignore my advice.
to decide after thinking carefully about something, especially about something that is very important: · After weeks of sleepless nights, I finally made a decision.make a decision to do something: · I think you should make the decision to marry him - he's great!make a decision about: · We don't have to make a decision about that now, let's think about it for a day or two.
to officially decide about something important after discussing and carefully considering it: · Before reaching a decision the chairman usually talks to senior managers.· Let me know as soon as you arrive at a decision.arrive at/come to/reach a decision on/about: · After two hours the committee had still not come to a decision on any of the proposals.
formal to decide that you will definitely do something and will not change your mind about it, especially because you have learned from your past experiences: resolve to do something: · I resolved to keep quiet about what I had heard, since it would only cause trouble.· After the divorce she resolved never to marry again.
British /come down in favor of American to decide finally to support one plan or action instead of another: · Following a heated debate, the House of Commons came down in favour of the treaty.· The Senate came down in favor of the appointment of Judge Thomas to the US Supreme Court.
spoken if someone takes it into their head to do something , they suddenly decide to do something that you think is stupid or strange: · He took it into his head to borrow his Dad's car without asking.· For some reason they took it into their heads to go swimming at midnight.
determined to do something if you are determined to do something, you have decided that you are definitely going to do it, and you will not let anything stop you: · There's no point in trying to stop her -- it'll only make her more determined.determined to do something: · I was determined to be a professional dancer, and practised for hours every day.· Both sides in the dispute seemed determined not to compromise.determined (that): · She was determined that her children should have the best possible education.
to be determined to do something, especially something important that will affect your whole life, even if other people think you should not do it: be set on (doing) something: · Nina seems to be set on marrying him.be dead set on something (=extremely determined to do something): · I didn't particularly want to go to Africa, but Bob was dead set on the idea.
if you set your mind on something, you decide that that is what you definitely want to do or have, especially something that you will have to work hard to achieve: set your mind on (doing) something: · Once Tammy's set her mind on something, she doesn't rest until she's done it.· She's set her mind on having a big posh wedding.
to be determined to do something, especially something that other people do not approve of or think you should do: · Michael left school at fifteen, intent on a career in showbusiness.be intent on (doing) something: · He's always seems intent on stirring up trouble among his colleagues.
determined not to change your opinion or decision, especially when other people are trying to persuade you to change it: · The man in the shop was adamant. "Definitely not," he said.adamant that: · Taylor was adamant that she was not going to quit.be adamant in your belief/refusal/own mind: · Nicolson was always adamant in his belief that his films did not encourage drug-taking.adamant about: · To this day, Matthews is adamant about his innocence.
in a way that shows that you are determined to do something: · She strode purposefully up to the door and rang the bell loudly.
formal to be determined to do something because you are sure that it is the right thing to do: be resolved to do something: · The new President is resolved to impose a number of reforms.be resolved that: · Our city authorities are resolved that the new school will be built within six months.
to be determined to do something and show other people that you are determined to do it, even if it involves harming someone: · And to prove we mean business, our members will stage a one-day strike next week.· Firm action would show both sides that the EU and the UN really meant business.
American informal to be very determined to get what you want, especially in business or politics: · Toymaker Mattel is getting ready to play hardball in an effort to persuade Hasbro to reconsider a merger.play hardball with: · The Deputy Prime Minister told reporters that Canada was ready to play hardball with the US.
refusing to stop trying to do something even though the situation is difficult or people are opposing you: · As a reporter, David was tougher and more tenacious than the other three.· He was the most tenacious politician in South Korea.
to try not to think about something to deliberately try not to think about something sad or unpleasant: · I've been trying not to think about her but my friends won't let me forget.· a war the country was trying to forget· Years after they had gotten divorced, Olivia found it very difficult to forget John.forget (that): · Forget I mentioned it. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.forget about: · We can forget about the accident now and concentrate on getting on with our lives.
to try to make yourself stop thinking about something that makes you angry, sad, or nervous: · It's time to put her out of your mind and find a new girlfriend.· I was nervous about flying for the first time but I tried to put it out of my mind.
to try not to think about something sad or unpleasant that happened in the past so that you can continue with your life and try to be happy: · Try and put the incident behind you and get on with normal life.· The team have put last night's loss behind them and are looking forward to next week's game.
if an activity takes your mind off a worrying problem, it makes you not think about it for a short time: · Joe suggested a game of cards to take my mind off things.· Staying busy helped keep his mind off his troubles.
to forget something to no longer remember information, something that happened in the past, or something that you must do: · I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name.· It was an experience she would never forget.· It's his birthday tomorrow. I hope you haven't forgotten.forget what/where/how etc: · She forgot where she'd left her keys.forget (that): · I keep forgetting that you're allergic to chocolate.forget to do something: · Don't forget to call your mom tomorrow.forget about: · Tom had forgotten about Tanya coming to stay.forget all about something: · I forgot all about tomorrow's exam.completely forget: · I completely forgot about the meeting.I forget spoken (=I have forgotten): · She had this boyfriend - I forget his name - who was an actor.
to not be able to remember something that you want to remember: · "How did you get home after the party?" "I don't remember."· I was going to phone you, but I couldn't remember your number.· Brad doesn't remember much about his mother because she died when he was small.don't/can't remember doing something: · Has she got an invitation? I don't remember inviting her.don't remember/can't remember what/where/how etc: · I don't remember exactly what happened.· He couldn't remember where he put his coat.
formal to not be able to remember something: · He claims to have no recollection of the incident.· I have no recollection of living in Australia, as my family left for England when I was three years old.
if something that you must do, especially something that is not very important, slips your mind , you forget to do it because you are too busy thinking about other things: · "I'm sure we agreed to meet here.'' "Maybe it's just slipped his mind.''
to suddenly forget something spoken use this to say that you know a name or word, but you are having difficulty remembering it at that moment: · That place we visited in Paris, what's it called? It's on the tip of my tongue.
spoken if a name, detail, fact etc escapes you, you forget it for a very short time but you know you will remember it soon: · I know I've heard this song before but its name escapes me.· Although I know that the novel was published in the nineteenth century, the actual date escapes me.
spoken if you can't place someone or something, you recognize them but have forgotten their name or where you met them before: · I'm sure I've seen him before, but I just can't place him.· Her perfume seemed so familiar but he couldn't place it
if your mind goes blank you are suddenly unable to remember something at a time when you need it: · That's... Oh, my mind's gone blank -- I can't remember her name.· My mind goes blank when I have to take a test.
British to forget what you were going to say or what you are supposed to say when speaking or acting, especially because you are nervous: · I dried up just as I was about to talk, even though I had been preparing the speech for weeks.· There was one worrying moment where one of the actors seemed to dry up for a few seconds.
if details, a piece of information etc go in one ear and out the other , you forget them very quickly because you are not interested or not listening properly: · She understands nothing about football so it all goes in one ear and out the other.· He was trying to explain the assignment to me but it just went in one ear and out the other.
to speak honestly to be honest in what you say: · He wouldn't believe that I was telling the truth.· When you testify in court, you have to swear to tell the truth.tell somebody the truth: · Tell me the truth - does this dress make me look fat?
spoken say this before giving your honest opinion, especially when your opinion may sound unkind or surprising: · To be honest, I don't really like babies.· I wish I'd never met him, to be quite honest.· To be honest with you, I never expected him to get the job.· In all honesty, I've got no idea where she's living now.
spoken you say to be frank or frankly before giving your honest opinion, especially when your opinion may sound unkind or shocking : · To be frank, George isn't very good at the job.· Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.· Well, frankly, I think this proves that there are a lot of people making laws in this country who don't really know what they're doing.
to be honest with someone, especially when they have asked you to give them the correct story, reason etc: · I promise I won't get angry. Just level with me and tell me what happened.· I'm going to level with you - some of the other managers don't think you're ready for a promotion.
to be honest and give someone all the facts about a situation, even if they are unpleasant: · I told her straight that she was wrong. · The people who report to me have to be willing to tell it like it is.
to say exactly what you think even if it offends people: · She believes in speaking her mind, which makes her very unpopular.· Larry isn't afraid to speak his mind, even in front of the boss.
to say what you think in a way that you know might offend other people: · Helmut didn't mince any words in his criticism of the department.
to say exactly what you think about someone or something, especially in a situation where other people would be more polite: · Why not call a spade a spade and say that she's incompetent, if that's what you're thinking.
to speak honestly about someone or something, especially when you are criticizing them, without thinking about their feelings: · Rollins pulled no punches in his memoir, especially when writing about the political system.
to wrongly think that something is happening to wrongly think that you can see or hear something when it is not really happening: imagine (that): · When I was a child I would lie awake imagining that there were monsters in the dark corners of my room.· Mary was always imagining that people were talking about her behind her back.I/you/he etc must be imagining things: · "I'm sure I saw Brian in the park today.'' "No, you must be imagining things. Brian hasn't lived here for nearly fifteen years.''
especially spoken say this when you or someone else has imagined something that cannot be real: I/you/he etc must be seeing things: · "Did that man just wave at me?'' "Of course not, you must be seeing things.''
if something is in the mind or in your mind , you are imagining it and it does not really exist: all in the mind: · I don't think Martin is really ill -- it's all in the mind.all in your mind: · No-one is trying to kill you. It's all in your mind.
if someone who is ill or has taken drugs hallucinates , they believe that they can see things that are not really there: · After two days without food and water, Voss began to hallucinate.
something that does not really exist and that you were just imagining: · Sceptics will tell you that there is no such thing as reincarnation and that living a previous life is a figment of the subject's imagination.
to be independent in the way you think to make decisions or form opinions without expecting other people to help or approve of you: · Parents should encourage their children to think for themselves.· The purpose of this question is to force students to think for themselves.· 'You're going to have to start thinking for yourself,' said David sternly.
to have a strong character and strong opinions that are not influenced by other people's: · She's a woman with a mind of her own, who says what she thinks.· But Mansell has a mind of his own, and he was adamant he would make racing his career.
to have a strong character and be confident about what you want to do: · Though not yet 15, Sara knows her own mind, and has already decided on a career.· I'm in my mid-thirties and ought to know my own mind by now, but I'm scared of getting married.
to be confident of your opinions, without letting other people influence you - use this when you approve of someone like this: · Stan was intellectual, confident and above all, his own man.· She didn't want to quarrel with him, but made it plain that she was her own woman now, with her own life to lead.· Sheila is very much her own woman. She'll listen to everyone and then make up her mind for herself.
good at learning, thinking, and understanding ideas having a high level of natural mental ability, so that you are good at thinking, learning, and understanding ideas: · Mark was an intelligent, ambitious young man, with a great future in front of him.· Some scientists claim that dolphins are more intelligent than humans.highly intelligent: · "We're looking for highly intelligent young people, with a genuine interest in their subject," a university spokesman said.
especially British /smart especially American good at learning and understanding things quickly, and at thinking how to solve problems: · He's a smart kid who works hard and is focused on what he wants to do.· My sister was always much cleverer than me at school.it is clever/smart of somebody: · That was very clever of you, How did you do that?it is clever/smart of somebody to do something: · Dick's had a bad injury, and it's probably smart of him not to play sports for a while.
intelligent and likely to be successful - use this especially about children and young people: · Even as a small child, it was obvious that Bobby was very bright.· When I first met her she was a bright young lawyer fresh out of law school.best and brightest: · Companies want to prevent their best and brightest employees from being headhunted by rival organizations.
to be intelligent and able to think about things clearly, understand things quickly, and solve problems well: · Sean's teachers told him that he had a good mind and the ability to be an excellent student.
to be intelligent according to what you score on a special test: · Both the twins have a high IQ of around 150.· MENSA is an organization for people with high IQs.
a child who is gifted is much more intelligent and quicker at learning than most other children: · In the past, gifted children have not always been given appropriate educational support.· Bloomsury House is a special school for girls and boys who are exceptionally gifted.
informal very intelligent and especially good at studying: · At school Karen was always one of the brainy ones.· Why don't you ask Tom to help you with your homework -- he's incredibly brainy.
not mentally ill not mentally ill, so that you are able to make sensible decisions and lead your life in a normal way: · Of course he isn't mad. He's as sane as you or I.· No sane person would believe such garbage!perfectly sane (=completely sane): · To his neighbours, Peter appeared perfectly sane.
when you are mentally healthy: · If you have your health and your sanity, money isn't really important.· I began to doubt Donald's sanity as his story got stranger and stranger.
a legal expression meaning not mentally ill and able to be responsible for your decisions and actions: · You are allowed to vote only if you are over 18 and of sound mind.
to have an obsession · My father always said I had an unhealthy obsession for spotty pop bands.· Our French teacher had a neurotic obsession with correct punctuation.
someone who is obsessed , has an obsession about someone or something: · Madonna was being stalked by an obsessed fan.obsessed by/with/about: · She was obsessed by Giles· He became obsessed in his old age with what to do with his immense wealth.· People are generally less obsessed about getting a tan than they used to be.
having an unreasonably strong and continuous interest in someone or something, so that you cannot stop thinking about them and your behaviour is seriously affected: · She's got this obsessive fear of losing control, so she never shows her emotions.· Deep anxiety can cause obsessive behaviour.obsessive about: · I try to look after my body as best I can, but I'm not obsessive about it.
to be unable to stop thinking about someone or something, even when you do not want to think about them: · Since the divorce, he hadn't been able to get Bonniet out of his mind.· She knew the story wasn't true, but she couldn't get it out of her mind.
informal to have an unreasonably strong interest in, liking for, or fear of something: · Joanne's got a thing about her hair. She's always changing the style.· The Captain had a thing about neat handwriting; in fact he couldn't bear to look at anything that wasn't beautifully written.
if something obsesses someone, or they obsess about it, they think about it all the time and cannot think about anything else: · The idea that she was being punished began to obsess her.obsess about: · Some women obsess about their thighs and stomachs.
to be continuously thinking about one subject so that you often talk about it when there is no reason to: · Boys of that age have a one track mind. All they think about is sex.
to have a strong and unnatural interest in something, so that you think about it a lot: · As a child, Quinlan had an unhealthy interest in death.
to remember something very clearly · "Do you remember a guy called Casey?" "Sure, I remember him well."· It was a long, long time ago, but I remember it vividly.· What she remembered most vividly was the hopelessly sad expression in his eyes. remember something all too well/vividly (=remember something that you would prefer to forget) · These men remember all too well the horrors of the Korean War.
to remember the details about something extremely clearly, especially when it is not something that would usually stay in someone's memory: distinctly remember something: · I distinctly remember her dress. It was blue with a red belt.distinctly remember doing something: · I distinctly remember being told that my father was away on a long business trip.distinctly remember somebody doing something: · I distinctly remember him leaving the room at about 8.00 p.m.
if something is fresh in your mind , you remember it very clearly because it happened very recently or because it had a great effect on you: · The day war was declared is still fresh in my mind.· She wrote down the details of their conversation while they were still fresh in her mind.with something fresh in your mind: · It was going to be difficult forming a new relationship with the memory of Marian still fresh in his mind.
to remember clearly the sight, sound, feel etc of something: · I can still see his face when I told him I wanted a divorce.· I can still hear my mother even now, singing away in the kitchen.· The next morning, on his way to the office, he could still feel the touch of her lips on his.
especially spoken use this to say that you will remember something for a long time because it was very shocking, very enjoyable, very frightening etc: · I'll never forget the sight of him lying there in the hospital.· "I'm going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget," said father grimly.I'll never forget the first time/the day/the night etc: · I'll never forget the first time I ate sushi.· I'll never forget the day Linda told us she was gay.I will never forget how/what/who etc: · I'll never forget how he comforted me after my son died.
to remember something that happened a long time in the past so clearly that it seems to have happened very recently, especially because it had a great effect on you: · I remember sitting at that table and listening to him speak as if it were yesterday.· She remembers her husband being shot as if it were yesterday.
to clearly remember something, especially an experience from the past, by imagining that you are doing it again now: · In my dreams, I often relived my fears and thought I was being attacked.· It's about a woman who is forced to relive her past when she discovers her long-lost brother.· I have relived that game many times and I still don't know how I missed the goal.
if something such as an experience or event stays with you, you remember it for a very long time because it has such a great effect on you: · When a loved one dies, it stays with you - it doesn't just go away.stay with someone for a long time/for the rest of their life: · The memory of the incident stayed with him for a long time.· Growing up in the countryside, she developed a passion for horses that stayed with her for the rest of her life.
if an experience or event etc sticks in your mind , it is very difficult to forget: · That reminds me of another incident that sticks in my mind.· One picture of a young child especially stuck in my mind.· A trivial incident, perhaps, but one that has stuck in my mind.
if you are haunted by something, especially something that you are worried about or afraid of, you find it extremely difficult to forget it so you are always thinking about it: · She was still haunted by what happened in Barcelona, although she had left twenty years earlier.· All his life, Whitman was haunted by a sense of loss and loneliness.
to try to remember something that you may need to know later also memorise British to learn facts, numbers, lines etc from a piece of writing or music, so that you can remember them later: · Wesley would pray for hours and memorize large sections of the Bible. · Don't write down your PIN number, memorize it.
to remember something, such as a fact or information, especially by writing it down, because you may need to know it in the future: · Before leaving, she noted the times of the return trains.note down (=to write the things you have to remember): · He read the text carefully, noting down the queries to be resolved later.
to make yourself remember something because you may need to know it or do it in the future: · I let the remark pass, but made a mental note for myself.make a mental note to do something: · I said nothing to Liz, but made a mental note to ask her sister about it later.make a mental note of: · As he came in, I made a mental note of where he put the keys.
to remember a fact or some information because it will be useful to you in the future: bear/keep in mind that: · Keep in mind that the teacher's previous experience in preparing students for the Cambridge exam can influence the results. bear/keep something in mind: · "You're always welcome to stay here, you know." "Thanks, I'll bear it in mind."· For users unfamiliar with the system, there are a few general points to keep in mind.be worth keeping/bearing something in mind: · It's worth keeping in mind that drinks are cheaper before eight o'clock.
to try very hard to remember something · You must try to remember what happened -- it's very important.· His name? Wait a minute. I'm trying to remember.try to remember who/what/how etc · I'm trying to remember how the theme tune goes.
to try to remember something by deliberately thinking about it a lot: think of: · You used to go out with the man from the bank, didn't you? I just can't think of his name.try to think: · "What did you do with the keys?" "Hang on, I'm just trying to think."think what/why/how etc: · I can't think where I put it.· Just let me think what the title was.think hard (=use this to emphasize that you try to remember something): · If she thought hard enough, she could just about remember what her mother looked like.think and think (=think for a long time): · He thought and thought but he couldn't remember.
if something comes back to you, you gradually start to remember it again after a lot of effort: · I can't think of the title at the moment, but it'll come back to me.· If you can remember all that, I'm sure the rest will come back to you.
British to try to remember something that happened a long time in the past: · Lisa, if you cast your mind back, I think you'll recall that it was your idea.cast your mind back to: · Henry cast his mind back to the fateful evening.cast your mind back over: · He frowned, casting his mind back over the conversation they had held.cast your mind back forty years/three days etc: · Cast your mind back a few weeks to the Athletics Championship in Armagh.
to try extremely hard to remember something that you find very difficult to remember: · Desperately, Irvin racked his brains, but there was nothing he could tell them.· She racked her brains, trying to remember what David had said.rack your brains for: · They sat in silence, racking their brains for the name of the road.
when something makes you remember something from the past to make someone remember a person, thing, or time from the past: · The perfume always reminded him of his mother.· Walking across the field reminded me of the happy summers I'd spent on my grandparents' farm.that reminds me of somebody/something (=say this when someone says or does something that makes you remember someone or something) spoken: · That reminds me of a joke I heard last week.
to remind someone of a person, experience, or time in your life: · I hate that smell - it makes me think of when I was in the hospital.· All this stuff just makes me think of Dan - I should get rid of it.· Baked beans always made her think of that first camping trip.
if events or experiences bring to mind something or call to mind something, they remind you of past events or experiences because they are very similar to them: · The case calls to mind the 1997 killing of a ten-year-old girl in upstate New York.· His account vividly brings to mind the descriptions of battles in Homer.
to remind you of someone or something from the past, especially in a way that makes you sad: · The town wanted to forget the war but the destroyed bridge was a painful reminder.be a reminder of: · She kept all his letters as a reminder of their time together.be a constant reminder: · The scar across his forehead was a constant reminder of the accident.
if something brings back memories or takes you back , it reminds you of a particular and often pleasant event or experience from your past that you thought you had forgotten: · These old pictures really bring back some memories.· It's years since I heard any Beatles' music - it really takes me back.bring back memories of something: · The order and discipline of the job brought back memories of his army days.take somebody back to something: · Staying in my old bedroom again takes me back to my childhood.
formal to remind someone of how they felt at a particular time in the past by producing a particular feeling, emotion, or memory in them: · The movie evokes a simpler time when life was less complicated.· David hardly needed any encouragement to visit the sea, since it still evoked for him the happiest memories.
if something such as a poem, a painting, or an image is evocative , it makes people remember a particular part of their past by producing a particular feeling, emotion, or memory in them: · The air was full of evocative smells of flowers and freshly cut grass.evocative of: · The painting was evocative of all the sun and bright colours of Provence.
if memories come flooding back , you suddenly remember them in a detailed way because of something that has happened: · As I began my speech all my teenage insecurities came flooding back. · He hadn't expected to see her, but he was surprised at how quickly memories of Paris came flooding back.
to say clearly what your opinion is · She usually says what she thinks even if it offends her political colleagues.say what you think about/of · I'll make a few suggestions, and the rest of you can say what you think about them.
to say what you think, even though what you say might upset or offend other people: · She's very direct and believes in speaking her mind.· We thought that the process of filming might stop people from speaking their minds.
to say publicly what you think about something important, especially in a situation where it can be discussed: · Every Friday there is a meeting at the factory where the workers can air their views and discuss problems.· For a long time citizens were denied the right to air their views fully or to hold public debates.
to be allowed to say what you think about something, for example in a meeting or among a group of people: · You've had your say -- now let someone else speak.have your say about: · At a public meeting yesterday, environmentalists were finally permitted to have their say about the future of the ancient forest.
to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etc, although other people are disagreeing with you: argue that: · She argued that taxes must be increased to pay for public services.· Film makers themselves would no doubt argue that their films do not influence people's behaviour.argue for (=argue that something should be done): · He argued for changes to the tax system so that it assisted people who undertook training.argue against (=argue that something should not be done): · Senator Harvey argued strongly against taking any form of military action.
when a thought comes into your mind to have an idea or thought in your mind, especially one that appears suddenly: · What are you thinking right now?think of: · I've just thought of a really good idea.· Has she thought of any names for the baby?· "Did you ask Rita?" "No, I didn't think of that."think of doing something: · There was water spraying everywhere, but nobody even thought of turning it off.think (that): · I think I'll go and see what's happening out there.
to think of an idea: · I have an idea. Why don't I drive the kids to school and then you can stay here.· Let me know if you have any good ideas.· Theresa had another idea. We would hitchhike to her hometown, and live in her brother's garagehave an idea for: · Collings had an idea for a device that would block out TV programs that parents didn't want their children to watch.
spoken to think something: · I've just had an awful thought. What if all the banks are closed?· I had an interesting thought today when I was talking to Anita. Do you realize that she's never asked us to her house in all the time we've known her?
if a new thought occurs to you, you suddenly think it: it occurs to somebody that: · It suddenly occurred to Miranda that perhaps no one would believe her story.· Didn't it occur to you that I might be worried?something occurs to somebody: · The possibility that he might be wrong never occurs to him.it occurs to somebody to do something: · As I thought about Mel and David and how similar they were, it occurred to me to introduce them to each other.
if a thought crosses someone's mind they think about it for a short time: · "Why didn't you call me?" "The thought did cross my mind while I was shopping this afternoon, but then I forgot all about it.it crossed somebody's mind that: · It crossed my mind that I was the only female coach on the committee, but that made me more determined than ever.it crossed somebody's mind to do something: · Several times it had crossed his mind to check on the car, but he never actually did it.it never crossed somebody's mind: · "It never crossed my mind to give up," he said. "It became an obsession."
if a thought enters someone's mind , they begin to think about it: it entered somebody's mind that: · At that moment it entered my mind that maybe someone was trying to kill him.it entered somebody's mind to do something: · Did it ever enter your mind to take out the garbage?it never entered somebody's mind: · It never entered my mind that Philip might be jealous.
if a thought or idea strikes you, you suddenly think it, especially because of something you have just seen or heard: it strikes somebody that: · I looked around the glittering room and it struck me that I was probably the poorest person there.strike somebody as strike adjective: · My mother was always asking questions, and it struck me as odd that she didn't ask one on this occasion.
if something comes or springs to mind , you suddenly think it, especially in relation to a particular subject that you are considering: · As I read the letter again, a number of thoughts came to mind.· Henry asked the first question that came to mind.· I love the circus life, but when people asked me what I wanted to be when I was older, "circus performer" was not what sprang to mind.
to think about something a lot · I've given this a lot of thought, because we all know that health care issues are very important today.give a lot of thought to something · Tony has given a lot of thought to what made his father a legendary coach.· Many of the new West-Coast designers have obviously given a lot of thought to their furniture designs.
to be thinking about something all the time, especially because you are worried about it: · She has something on her mind, but she won't tell us what it is.· "Should we tell Dad?" "No, he's got a lot on his mind right now."be on somebody's mind: · Come on, tell me what's on your mind.· I'm not looking forward to the interview. It's been on my mind all week.
also can't get somebody/something out of my mind informal to be unable to stop thinking about someone or something, even when you do not want to think about them: · After the first three months of the pregnancy were over, I just couldn't stop thinking about food.· I just can't get that poor family out of my mind.
to spend too much time thinking about something sad or unpleasant - use this especially when telling someone not to do this: · Brian's still dwelling too much on the past, in my opinion.· There's no use in dwelling on problems that we can't do anything about.
to keep thinking for a long time about something that worries you or that makes you angry or upset: · Austin sat in the corner brooding and looking sorry for himself.brood on/over/about: · You can't spend all your time at home brooding about the way he treated you.· The poetry spends a lot of time brooding over death.
to spend all your time thinking about something that concerns you, for example your work, so that you have no time to think about other things or other people: · These days she's so wrapped up in her children she never sees anybody.· Sometimes the professors are so wrapped up in their graduate students, they ignore the undergraduates.
to be thinking all the time about something that is worrying you or that is important to you, so that it is difficult to think about anything else: · What is being done to end the crisis which has preoccupied the country's political leadership?be preoccupied with: · My mother was preoccupied with my brother and his illness, so I was allowed to do what I wanted.
spoken to be always thinking about a particular thing - use this when you want to say that someone thinks about something far too much: · It's unbelievable - you have sex on the brain 24 hours a day!
to think about something carefully and repeatedly, especially something you do not fully understand or that you have not made a final decision about: · When Dan left, Mae stayed there, turning his invitation over in her mind.· As he studied the picture of the little boy, he began to turn an idea over in his mind.
not worried also unconcerned formal · Sam had stayed out late before, so we weren't particularly worried when he didn't return.· Brian didn't seem at all concerned when the car broke down.not worried/concerned about · He insists that he is not worried about the poor showing his party made in the recent local elections. · For once, Karen seemed unconcerned about the possibility of being late for class. not in the least bit worried etc (=not at all worried) · Even after losing her job, she doesn't seem in the least bit worried.
feeling relaxed again because you do not need to worry about something that you worried about before: · "Oh," she said, relieved. "I'm so glad you're back."seem/feel/look/appear relieved: · The hostages simply look relieved to be going home.relieved that: · I was relieved that John was there to help me explain.· The government will be relieved that a crisis has been averted.relieved at: · Sahlin appeared relieved at my news.relieved to know/hear/find/learn etc something: · I'm so relieved to see you!· Polly was relieved to learn that her mother's illness was not a serious one.· Andrew was relieved to discover that he was not himself under suspicion.
spoken if something is a weight off your mind you do not have to worry any more because something has happened to make you feel happier about it: be a great/big/enormous weight off somebody's mind: · No doubt the news will be a huge weight off his mind.take a weight off somebody's mind: · Now that Peter has passed all his exams, it's taken a great weight off my mind.
the pleasant feeling you have when you no longer have to worry about something: · A white envelope lay on the mat. Holmes felt considerable relief.a feeling/sense of relief: · Edwards commented that the convictions give him a feeling of relief that he hopes the victim shares.with relief: · To her own surprise, she began sobbing with relief.to somebody's relief (=making them feel relieved): · To Greg's relief, nobody asked to check his ticket.· The rains came this weekend, much to the relief of tomato growers in Florida. breathe/heave a sigh of relief (=show by your behaviour that you are no longer worried about something): · You could hear the students breathing a collective sigh of relief when the final bell rang.it is a relief to know/hear/see/find etc: · It was such a relief to see Liz looking healthy again.· Mary says it's a relief to have someone to talk to at last.come as a relief: · The decision, announced on Thursday, came as a huge relief to the factory's 300 workers.
to not be worried by a problem because you do not think it is important enough: · I tried my best, and I certainly won't be losing any sleep over the result.· It's not that serious. I wouldn't lose sleep over it if I were you.
if you have no qualms about something, you are not worried about it, especially because you are sure it is the right thing to do: have no qualms about: · One protestor said he would have no qualms about bombing the clinic.· He was a man who had no qualms about preaching one thing and practising another in his private life.
cheerful and not worried about anything, because you do not have any real problems or responsibilities in your life: · I felt carefree for the first time in my life.· They both laughed, feeling like two carefree schoolgirls.
if someone is without a care in the world , they are not worried about anything at all and are happy: · I was just sixteen, young, confident and without a care in the world.· He puffed away on his pipe as if he didn't have a care in the world.
to laugh and refuse to worry or be serious about a problem, when someone is trying to talk to you about it: laugh off something: · Venables laughed off suggestions that he will be asked to retire.· She took praise with delight, and laughed off any criticisms with good humour.laugh it off: · She was genuinely angry, but Luke just tried to laugh it off.
to feel worried all the time to have a lot of problems to worry about, especially when this means that you do not concentrate on other things: · Since the divorce, Linda's had a lot on her mind.· I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, I have a lot on my mind at the moment.
to have a lot of work to do or have a lot of problems to deal with, so that you feel worried and tired or get upset easily: · Although I was under a strain, and drinking a lot at the time, I remember very clearly what happened.· This investigation has placed her under additional stress.be under a lot of stress/strain: · Mr Payne, have you been under a lot of stress recently?
informal so worried and tired from problems you have to deal with continuously that you cannot relax: · By the end of the tour, the band was totally stressed out.· One of my adult students was a stressed-out working mother.feel stressed out: · I'm trying to have a few early nights because I'm feeling stressed out at the moment.
worrying so much about a particular problem that you cannot think about anything else: · I admit I'm preoccupied and snappy at the moment -- I'm sorry.· Alison had entered the room, but he was too preoccupied to notice.look/seem preoccupied: · She seemed preoccupied and kept glancing toward the window.preoccupied look/expression etc: · Prajapat glanced up with a preoccupied smile, then went back to the map.preoccupied with: · He was far too preoccupied with his own marital difficulties to give any thought to his friend's problems.
someone who is paranoid is worried all the time that people do not like them, that bad things are going to happen to them etc, when this is not true: · I was so paranoid at one point, that I was refusing to answer the door.feel paranoid: · The mysterious phone calls were beginning to make him feel paranoid.paranoid about: · By 1982, he was so paranoid about his health that he wore plastic gloves at all times.
to make someone feel worried · The changes in the Earth's climate began to worry some scientists.· "Why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't want to worry you."it worries somebody that · Doesn't it worry you that Stephen spends so much time away from home?what worries somebody is · What worries me is the difference in age between Rosie and her boyfriend.· One thing that worried me was that information had been leaked to the press.
if a problem troubles you, it makes you feel worried because you do not know what to do about it: · You must talk to your daughter and find out what's troubling her.· The incident troubled me -- it wasn't like Sarah to be so secretive.be troubled by something: · She is troubled by the fact that her son already shows signs of inheriting his father's mental problems.
if someone else's problems, health, safety etc concern you, you worry about them because you think they are important, even when they may not affect you personally: · Kate's behaviour at school is starting to concern her parents.it concerns somebody that: · It concerns me that some tutors are meeting with students outside college hours.what concerns somebody is: · What concerns me most is that despite pay increases, production has not improved.
if something bothers you, it slightly worries you - use this especially about problems that do not seem serious: · The only thing that bothers me is how I'm going to get from the station to the farm.· You shouldn't let little things like that bother you.what bothers somebody is: · What bothers me is that you didn't feel you could talk to me or your father about it.
also give somebody cause for concern if something that is happening causes concern or is a cause for concern , it makes someone, especially someone in an official position, feel worried, because it is unsatisfactory or possibly dangerous - used especially in official situations: · We have to inform you that your son's behaviour has been causing concern for some time now.· Two dozen cases of water poisoning in the space of a week certainly is a cause for concern, and we shall be taking action.· The Secretary General said that the recent developments are giving him cause for concern.cause somebody concern: · Your husband has almost recovered -- the only thing that's still causing us concern is his high blood pressure.cause concern among: · The decision has caused concern among human rights groups.
if a problem or something bad that has happened preys on your mind , it worries you continuously even though you do not want to think about it: · It was starting to prey on my mind so much that I went to the hospital.· The old woman's warning preyed on Mary's mind as she continued her journey.
to make someone feel less worried to make someone feel less worried, especially by saying something to comfort them: · I tried to reassure her by saying that the police would arrive soon.· 'No one can ever take your spirit away from you,' my mother reassured me.reassure that: · The company has reassured its workers that there will be no job losses this year.· She returned to her motel, reassured by the nurses that her husband would be quite all right.
also set/put somebody's mind at ease to make someone feel less worried, especially by giving them information that shows they do not need to worry: · The doctor set my mind at rest by explaining exactly what effect the drug would have on me.· Just to put your mind at ease, we will get a second opinion from a cardiac specialist.
informal to tell someone something that they have been waiting anxiously to find out: · Come on Robyn, put me out of my misery. Who won?· Eventually, we put him out of his misery and told him he'd passed.
WORD SETSAB, nounabdomen, nounaccommodation, nounAchilles tendon, nounAdam's apple, nounadaptation, nounadenoids, nounadrenalin, nounairway, nounambidextrous, adjectiveanatomical, adjectiveankle, nounantibody, nounantigen, nounanus, nounanvil, nounaorta, nounappendix, nounarch, nounarmpit, nounarterial, adjectiveartery, nounatrium, nounbaby tooth, nounback, nounbackbone, nounbandy, adjectivebarrel-chested, adjectivebeat, verbbelly, nounbelly button, nounbicep, nounbig toe, nounbikini line, nounbile, nounbiological clock, nounbiorhythms, nounbiped, nounbladder, nounblind spot, nounblink, verbblink, nounblood count, nounblood group, nounblood pressure, nounbloodstream, nounblood type, nounblood vessel, nounBO, nounbody clock, nounbody odour, nounbone, nounbone marrow, nounbowel, nounbow legs, nounbrain, nounbrainwave, nounbreast, nounbreastbone, nounbristly, adjectivebronchial, adjectivebronchial tube, nounbrow, nounbuck teeth, nounbullnecked, adjectiveburp, verbbust, nounbuttock, nouncanine, nouncapillary, nouncardiac, adjectivecardio-, prefixcardiovascular, adjectivecarotid artery, nouncartilage, nouncentral nervous system, nouncerebellum, nouncerebral, adjectivecervical, adjectivecervix, nounchamber, nounchange of life, nouncheek, nouncheekbone, nounchest, nounchin, nouncirculation, nounclavicle, nouncleavage, nounclitoris, nounclose-set, adjectivecoccyx, nouncochlea, nouncock, nouncollarbone, nouncolon, nouncolour, nouncolour-blind, adjectiveconception, nouncone, nounconnective tissue, nouncoordination, nouncornea, nouncortex, nouncough, verbcough, nouncowlick, nouncranium, nouncrook, verbcrotch, nouncrow's feet, nouncrutch, nouncry, verbcuticle, noundandruff, noundeep-set, adjectivedefecate, verbdefence mechanism, noundental, adjectivedentine, nounderrière, noundiaphragm, noundigit, noundigital, adjectivedimple, noundisc, noundominant, adjectivedouble-jointed, adjectivedribble, verbdrool, verbduct, nounduodenum, nounear, nouneardrum, nounearhole, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbelbow, nounenamel, nounendocrine, adjectiveentrails, nounepidermis, nounepiglottis, nounerect, adjectiveerection, nounerogenous zone, nounexcrement, nounexcreta, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexpectorate, verbextremity, nouneye, nouneyebrow, nouneyelash, nouneyelid, nouneyesight, nouneye tooth, nounface, nounfallopian tube, nounfart, verbfart, nounfemur, nounfibre, nounfibula, nounfigure, nounfingernail, nounfingertip, nounfist, nounfive o'clock shadow, nounflat-chested, adjectivefoetal position, nounfolic acid, nounfollicle, nounforearm, nounforefinger, nounforehead, nounforeskin, nounframe, nounfunny bone, noungall bladder, noungallstone, noungastric, adjectivegenital, adjectivegenitals, noungland, nounglottis, noungonad, noungrey matter, noungroin, nounG-spot, noungullet, noungum, nounhair, nounhairless, adjectivehairy, adjectivehammer, nounhamstring, nounhand, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandlebar moustache, nounhead, nounheart, nounheel, nounhiccup, nounhiccup, verbhip, nounHomo sapiens, nounhumerus, nounhymen, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nouninbred, adjectiveincisor, nounindex finger, nouninherit, verbinstep, nounintestine, nounin vitro fertilization, nouniris, nounIVF, nounjaw, nounjawbone, nounjowl, nounkidney, nounknee, nounknee cap, nounknuckle, nounlap, nounlarge intestine, nounlarynx, nounlash, nounlaugh lines, nounlaughter lines, nounleft-handed, adjectivelefty, nounlens, nounlid, nounlifeblood, nounligament, nounlip, nounlittle finger, nounliver, nounlobe, nounlong-sighted, adjectivelumbar, adjectivelung, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmammary, adjectivemammary gland, nounmanual, adjectivemarrow, nounmasticate, verbmatrix, nounmelanin, nounmelatonin, nounmember, nounmenopause, nounmenses, nounmenstrual, adjectivemenstrual period, nounmenstruate, verbmiddle ear, nounmiddle finger, nounmidget, nounmidriff, nounmilk tooth, nounmind, nounmolar, nounmucous membrane, nounmuscle, nounnail, nounnape, nounnasal, adjectivenavel, nounnervous, adjectiveneurology, nounneuron, nounniacin, nounnipple, nounnode, nounnodule, nounnostril, nounocular, adjectiveoesophagus, nounoral, adjectiveovary, nounoverbite, nounoviduct, nounpalate, nounpalm, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpancreas, nounpassage, nounpatella, nounpectorals, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenetrate, verbpepsin, nounperiod, nounperiod pain, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphallus, nounpharynx, nounphlegm, nounphysical, adjectivephysiognomy, nounphysiology, nounphysique, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepit, nounpituitary, nounplacenta, nounplasma, nounplatelet, nounpore, nounpotbelly, nounpremenstrual, adjectiveprepubescent, adjectivepressure point, nounprimal, adjectiveprivate parts, nounprognathous, adjectiveprostate, nounpuberty, nounpubescent, adjectivepubic, adjectivepudendum, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulse, nounpupil, nounquad, nounquadruplet, nounquin, nounquintuplet, nounradius, nounreceptor, nounrecessive, adjectiverectal, adjectiverectum, nounred blood cell, nounREM sleep, nounrenal, adjectiveretina, nounRhesus factor, nounRH factor, nounrib, nounrib cage, nounright, adjectiveright-handed, adjectiveright-hander, nounrigor mortis, nounring finger, nounrod, nounRoman nose, nounround-shouldered, adjectiverun, verbsalivary gland, nounsallow, adjectivescalp, nounscaly, adjectivescapula, nounsciatic, adjectivescrotum, nounsemen, nounseminal, adjectivesense, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectivesextuplet, nounshank, nounshin, nounshinbone, nounshoulder, nounshoulder blade, nounside, nounsinew, nounsinus, nounskeletal, adjectiveskull, nounsleep, verbsleep, nounsmall intestine, nounsneeze, verbsneeze, nounsnub nose, nounsnub-nosed, adjectivesoft palate, nounsolar plexus, nounsole, nounsphincter, nounspinal, adjectivespinal column, nounspine, nounspit, verbspit, nounspittle, nounspleen, nounspotty, adjectivesputum, nounsternum, nounsteroid, nounstirrup, nounstomach, nounstool, nounstubble, nounsubcutaneous, adjectivesuck, verbsuckle, verbsuckling, nounsweat gland, nounsystem, nountailbone, nountan, verbtan, nountanned, adjectivetarsus, nountartar, nountaste bud, nountear, nounteardrop, nounteat, nountemple, nountendon, nountestes, nountesticle, nountestis, nountestosterone, nounthickset, adjectivethigh, nounthorax, nounthroat, nounthumb, nounthumbnail, nounthyroid, nountibia, nounticklish, adjectivetoe, nountoenail, nountongue, nountonsil, nountooth, nountorso, nountouch, nountrachea, nountriceps, nountrunk, nountympanum, nounulna, nounumbilical cord, nounurethra, nounuterus, nounuvula, nounvagina, nounvascular, adjectivevein, nounvenous, adjectiveventricle, nounvessel, nounvestibule, nounvital, adjectivevocal cords, nounvoice box, nounvulva, nounwaist, nounwall-eyed, adjectivewax, nounwhite, nounwhite blood cell, nounwindpipe, nounwisdom tooth, nounwomb, nounwrinkle, verbwrist, nounyawn, verbyawn, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
It is impossible to understand the complex nature of the human mind. men who were chosen for their independence of mind No more argument. My mind is made up. You’re old enough to make your own mind up about smoking. It was a nice house, but it wasn’t quite what we had in mind. Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. More money should be given to housing, bearing in mind (=because of) the problem of homelessness. 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. It never crossed my mind that Lisa might be lying. a bright child with an enquiring mind She returned from lunch in a happier frame of mind. You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well. Want a game? It might take your mind off things. It had completely slipped her mind that Dave still had a key to the house. Making notes is the best way of keeping your mind on the task at hand.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. Travel broadens the mind (=helps you to understand and accept other people’s beliefs, customs etc). You’re facing this situation with a closed mind. Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. Fear had clouded his vision. I’m concentrating my efforts on writing my autobiography. It didn’t cross her mind that she might be doing something illegal. Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. I can leave the children with my mother with an easy mind. He couldn’t erase the image from his mind. She had tried to erase the memory of that day. It’s an issue that’s exercised the minds of scientists for a long time. Your problem is you’ve got a filthy mind (=you are always thinking about sex). When he left, Karen found herself heaving a huge sigh of relief. She tried to concentrate, but found her mind drifting back to Alex. She tried to focus her mind on her work. The accident was still fresh in her mind. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you moving? The sight of Joe’s dead body was imprinted on his mind forever. They get on well together because they are of like mind. a chance to meet like-minded people Knowing he was safe was a load off my mind (=I felt less worried). He’s obviously playing mind games with you. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. Television violence is poisoning the minds of young people. youngsters with an independent turn of mind people of unsound mind (=people who are mentally ill) To the untutored ear, this music sounds as if it might have been written by Beethoven. I’m sure there’s something weighing on his mind. I shall never understand the workings of his mind (=how he thinks).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
It is impossible to understand the complex nature of the human mind. men who were chosen for their independence of mind No more argument. My mind is made up. You’re old enough to make your own mind up about smoking. It was a nice house, but it wasn’t quite what we had in mind. Floor tiles can be difficult to clean – worth keeping in mind when you choose a new floor. More money should be given to housing, bearing in mind (=because of) the problem of homelessness. 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. It never crossed my mind that Lisa might be lying. a bright child with an enquiring mind She returned from lunch in a happier frame of mind. You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well. Want a game? It might take your mind off things. It had completely slipped her mind that Dave still had a key to the house. Making notes is the best way of keeping your mind on the task at hand. (=when someone is able to think quickly and clearly)· A fit body is crucial if you want an active mind.
· I’m scared and I don’t mind admitting it.
British English (=a way of thinking)· Being young is simply an attitude of mind.
He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. (=extremely bored)· In some of the lessons, I was bored out of my mind.
Travel broadens the mind (=helps you to understand and accept other people’s beliefs, customs etc). You’re facing this situation with a closed mind. Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. Fear had clouded his vision. I’m concentrating my efforts on writing my autobiography. It didn’t cross her mind that she might be doing something illegal. (=used to tell someone you have thought of the thing they are suggesting, or have never thought of it)
(=having one clear aim and working very hard to achieve it)· Whatever task he undertook was tackled with single-minded determination.
British English (=think about sex a lot)
Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. spoken informal (=make someone feel very annoyed)· That voice of hers drives me up the wall.
I can leave the children with my mother with an easy mind. (=used to say that someone never considered a particular idea, especially when this is surprising) It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else.
It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else. He couldn’t erase the image from his mind. She had tried to erase the memory of that day. It’s an issue that’s exercised the minds of scientists for a long time. Your problem is you’ve got a filthy mind (=you are always thinking about sex). When he left, Karen found herself heaving a huge sigh of relief. She tried to concentrate, but found her mind drifting back to Alex. She tried to focus her mind on her work. (=make people give their attention to something) We need to focus public attention on this issue.
We need to focus public attention on this issue. The accident was still fresh in her mind. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you moving?· Distances in space are too great for the human mind to comprehend.
The sight of Joe’s dead body was imprinted on his mind forever. (=people who share the same opinions)· The message board is a forum where like-minded individuals can communicate.
They get on well together because they are of like mind. a chance to meet like-minded people Knowing he was safe was a load off my mind (=I felt less worried). (also remember your manners British English) (=used for telling a child to behave politely)· I frowned at him and told him to mind his manners.
He’s obviously playing mind games with you. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. Television violence is poisoning the minds of young people.· What was his state of mind at the time of the attack?
(=determination to do something)· In pursuing this ambition, William showed remarkable strength of purpose.
(=someone has a thought)· The thought never crossed my mind that I could be wrong.
youngsters with an independent turn of mind people of unsound mind (=people who are mentally ill) To the untutored ear, this music sounds as if it might have been written by Beethoven. I’m sure there’s something weighing on his mind. I shall never understand the workings of his mind (=how he thinks).· This statement should be absolutely clear in the minds of everyone concerned.· Fenella turned back to the treadmills and half closed her eyes, the words of the Robemaker still clear in her mind.· Soon after she left the hospital, with a clearer mind, she again stopped taking her medicine.· Step 9 Be quite clear in your mind how your child must change in order for the situation to improve.· The layout of the house was still clear in his mind.· He would get to the bottom of all this, just as soon as he could get it all clear in his mind.
· She seemed calm enough but the fit she had thrown on first wakening was fresh in his mind.· I did my shopping Sunday afternoon while it was fresh on my mind.· With Amantani fresh in my mind it seemed to me that more than the cattle were tethered here.· There was no doubt that the tragedy was as fresh in his mind as the day it had happened.· I wrote it while the text was still fresh in my mind.· He thinks this is more important than a high turnover of staff, despite the fresh minds and attitudes this may encourage.· The memory of empty bellies because their father had gambled away all the National Assistance was still fresh in their minds.· With this unhappy enterprise fresh in their minds, Kennedy and Khrushchev met in Vienna in June 1961.
· But the human mind selects as well as stores.· Can they be other than mere arbitrary constructions of the human mind?· His response is to abandon the troubled human mind, and delve into the animal world instead.· But maybe total understanding of everything is a bit much to ask of a tiny human mind.· I deny such an idea; the human mind if it desires something strongly enough will achieve anything.· At present, computers are a useful aid in research, but they have to be directed by human minds.· Or was the human mind ready for being stretched, and perhaps into the next stage of development?· Modern developments in artificial intelligence are bringing a new light to past perceptions of how the human mind interacts with nature.
· He insists he has an open mind on the players he wants to keep.· In interviews after their inaugural meeting last Thursday, all vowed to keep an open mind on whoever comes before the panel.· Still, it was as well to keep an open mind.· And later she was going to try to get herself to that meeting with an open mind.· An open school is characterised by open minds as well as open doors.· We must keep an open mind about the possible presence of ores.· In this situation it is vital to keep an open mind and consider any possibilities and evaluate them carefully.· Police Commission members have vowed to keep an open mind on the finalists.
· This in turn puts him in the right frame of mind to be helped to overcome the problem once and for all.· Who in their right mind would save any money, under these circumstances?· No one in his right mind would want to start a fight in such a place as this.· Eurydice Druitt Saltonstall was in her right mind when she wrote this will.· The ease with which they fell from her tongue would have horrified her, had she been in her right mind.· He might be more in his right mind than you are.· No one in his right mind would call the Delinquents a memorable piece of work.· No one in their right mind should believe such a terrifying thought.
VERB· You should also bear in mind that social security payments might be higher abroad.· And while that would seem to leave Jen open to offers, bear in mind that she can be a difficult customer.· This is to be expected, bearing in mind the way in which insertion is handled.· That is also an outcome to bear in mind.· There are some very basic psychological principles for you to bear in mind.· You must bear in mind the need to safeguard public funds and observe security requirements.· There are a number of points to bear in mind.· Finally governments have also to bear in mind taxation rates in other countries when framing their own policies.
· Film is something that has been edited and this should always be borne in mind when using it.· The tactic is mined with dangers and difficulties and can not be successfully carried out unless these are constantly borne in mind.· Distributional factors should always be borne in mind when considering the effects of changes in aggregate variables.· This relationship should be borne in mind when we examine monetary policy in the next two chapters.· But as was stated above, it must always be borne in mind that these models are ideal types.· Given the quality of much tap water in recent years this point should be borne in mind when considering keeping this fish.· The possibility of progression to modules requiring higher levels of competence should also be borne in mind when designing programmes.· This dulled incentive to enhance productivity is a cost of integration that must be borne in mind when amalgamation is contemplated.
· Two days before the lunch John Lawrence rang to say he had changed his mind and would after all be present.· The couple had considered buying the house, where they had lived for several years, but they changed their minds.· He was convinced Jeopardy would hate him for ever, change his mind about the performance, change his mind about his prowess.· Time to recall the smallest moment, time to revise your story, time to change your mind.· But when she accompanies Diana to the ancient Tower Abbey, she begins to change her mind.· But no one directly changes a mind.· The attempt to change his mind proved futile.
· The cash crisis in the Third World will help concentrate the minds of lenders.· Robyn lay, eyes closed, and concentrated on keeping her mind blank and her body relaxed.· I think that might concentrate his mind wonderfully as to the validity of different world views!· But the prospect of an early general election has concentrated minds.· It concentrated my mind at our interviews again.· A hefty fine would help concentrate the mind and could save the lives of commuters.· It concentrates the mind better than anything I know.
· And anyway, what about all the other equally correct continuations which never crossed our mind until we came to them?· In fact, it had hardly crossed her mind at all for days now.· It crosses my mind, briefly, that a new bottle would be a welcome gift.· For some idiotic reason it had never crossed her mind that she might be doing something illegal.· When museum planning began in 1991, officials were so focused on exhibits that souvenirs never crossed their minds.· I think of so many things, so many sad and bitter thoughts cross my mind.· Retirement has crossed his mind, Aikman said.
· And it entered his mind uninvited to wonder about the strangeness of human relationships.· It began entering my mind when I was putting.· They have entered your mind and there they add to the charge with which you are writing your book.· Going to college, by the way, just never entered my mind.· Every thought and feeling that had entered Ace's mind had appeared simultaneously on her face.· And here a niggling doubt enters the mind.· And then the word Agnes entered my mind.· Absolut Vodka has used its bottle shape to enter the minds of millions.
· The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.· Probably nothing will flash into your mind, I said.· This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.· At that moment a plan flashed into her mind, perfect, down to the last detail.· The picture of Christopher Court driving away from Church Row flashed into his mind.· The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.· It flashed through my mind that I was close.· Each time I see one of these cocoons hanging from a tree, all of these marvels flash through my mind.
· To pull this off, the government should keep in mind some first principles.· There are other factors that companies need to keep in mind.· However, although we can keep this association in mind, it does not give us the whole picture.· If the limitations of the 24-hour recall are kept in mind, gross calculations of nutrient intake are valid.· Whilst the latter is not always possible it should be kept in mind.· I think you should keep an open mind and enjoy being with people.· That'd keep her mind off herself quick enough.· And I always keep in mind the global nature of the organization.
· Mr le Carr can't seem to make up his mind whether he's writing a thriller or an expos.· A man is what he makes up his mind to be.· George was a superb dean, not least because of his capacity to listen to colleagues and then make up his mind decisively.· He had made up his mind to be offended.· Before she had made up her mind she heard the roar of the jets.· Gore reportedly has a knack of forcing the president to make up his mind and move on.· Be grown up and make up your own mind.· Her parents felt they were too young, but that ultimately the two young people had to make up their own minds.
· They had other problems now to occupy their minds, as well as Balliol's whereabouts.· But ah, how I need some more engaging puzzle to occupy my mind today.· There are very many ways of course to occupy the mind and the techniques we describe are only a few suggestions for practice.· K... Occupy you minds with good thoughts, or the enemy will find the bad ones.· So the season continued and the World Championships in Rome began more and more to occupy my mind.· It occupied his mind, too, shrinking his vision of the sea clock.· She also had enough at Usher to occupy her mind without fretting about future possibilities.· I feel it was important that the men had work to do that occupied their minds and bodies.
· He put Jane out of his mind and concentrated on the task ahead of him.· I think this group can do anything it wants to if it puts its mind to it.· Despite speculation that the campaign, produced by Hoare Wilkins, was put together with privatisation in mind.· Nick spotted it by the sudden flash of light on its chassis, then put it from his mind.· Brian, although fascinated by psychology, always wanted to sort himself out, not put his mind into another's hands.· The Professor couldn't help thinking that he put him in mind of a young Jack Palance.· He's unlikely to know how you feel, and until he does, he can't put your mind at rest.· She put it out of her mind.
· Surely he hadn't somehow read her mind and shared that foolish thought that stress and tiredness had put into her head?· You must have read my mind.· She knows he can read her mind, she knows her thoughts are open to him.· He might have been rather less relieved if he could have read her mind.· It may respond to voice commands or it may read minds.· As if she reads his mind, she moans encouragingly.
· He spoke his mind and he rarely smiled, and he was getting, at best, a C from me.· He dawdled, afraid to say no or resist her or speak his mind.· They reflect a tough tradition among rural women of shouldering a heavy economic burden and speaking their mind.· What does one say in a culture that hesitates to speak its mind?· Lucy Lane, on the point of speaking, changed her mind.· Even if they disagree sometimes with what he says, they like a candidate who speaks his mind.
· I think those types of things stick in children's minds, so I didn't want her there.· Yet the one small doubt stuck in her mind like a burr in tweed.· But it stuck in my mind.· It must have stuck in her mind, that an honest person might act out of character when severely threatened.· It is not surprising that phrases do not stick in the mind.· One incident that has always stuck in my mind was when I dove for my foxhole at the opening mortar round.· One boy,, really sticks out in my mind.· Perhaps the image is just so startling that it sticks in our minds.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► get/put somebody/something out of your mind► cross/enter somebody’s mind► go/turn over something in your mind► it/that is a load/weight off somebody’s mind► no one in their right mind ...► be out of your mind with worry/grief etc► make up your mind/make your mind up► somebody’s mind goes blank► be of one mind/of the same mind/of like mind► somebody’s mind is racing► it’s all in the mindPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► my mind’s a blank► blow somebody’s mind► the/your mind boggles,► mind/brain candy► be etched on/in your memory/mind► a fevered imagination/mind/brain► nothing could be/is further from somebody’s mind/thoughts► the hearts and minds of somebody► an inquiring mind► literal-minded► a nimble mind/brain/wit► pollute somebody’s mind► push something out of your mind► stick out to somebody/stick out in somebody’s mind► time out of mind
- And with this in mind she returned to the reception desk to ask Stella if she could use the phone.
- At any rate, should not the New Testament material be studied critically and carefully with these questions in mind?
- Choose your audience with that possibility in mind.
- Everything she did she did with Peter in mind.
- Our actions have meaning because we are responsible agents who carry them out with a purpose in mind.
- Several new milk products are being developed with this goal in mind, and there are two notable entries in the field.
- She said one homeowner recently purchased an extra large van with that in mind.
- We mention it particularly with Blackpool trippers in mind.
- But Alvin had a good deal else on his mind.
- But those who succeed him will have no such hold on hearts and minds, nor the same unity of purpose.
- Expansion is very much on the mind of Hahn, and always has been.
- I want to ask him about Gloria, but he has other things on his mind.
- It was probably inappropriate, dumb, or even rude, but it was the persistent question on my mind.
- Robyn lay, eyes closed, and concentrated on keeping her mind blank and her body relaxed.
- The last time I won was here and I had that on my mind most of the week.
- Visitors who come with only escape on their minds usually leave with a Chan Chich bird list.
- I began to wonder what might be going through her mind.
- Over and over it ran through his mind.
- Perhaps more mundane thoughts went through her mind.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- The thought ran through my mind I heard chaos outside.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- Who lived there and what was going through their minds?
- All of this comes to mind because of the movies.
- As I thought about this, two questions kept coming to mind.
- Dell and Elonex immediately spring to mind.
- Faded was the word that sprang to mind - everything had a rather tired quality about it.
- He waited for something to come to mind.
- Multiple calamities had come to mind.
- Three possible explanations come to mind.
- He went off to work in a pleasant frame of mind.
- What was his state of mind on the day of the shooting?
- If he could say that, for all his suffering, he wasn't in a dying frame of mind.
- In what ways is this different to your other states of mind and being?
- Meredith went up to the rehearsal room in a less tetchy state of mind.
- Neil certainly seemed conscious after that terrible first week, despite his inability to recall his previous state of mind.
- Patrick Parrinder has looked sardonically at this comforting but self-deceiving state of mind.
- The state that belonged to the Albion revolution was no more than a state of mind.
- You can not do that for her, can not alter her frame of mind.
- As I took in the traffic thundering by beneath me and relived in my mind my alarming experience, my trepidation returned.
- But in my mind I suffered.
- But not quickly enough to my mind.
- I always had something like this in my mind, that something like that was going to happen.
- One boy,, really sticks out in my mind.
- Stark Nude had been an angelic sprite of a girl who in my mind will for ever be 6 and eating jelly beans.
- They are horribly expensive but to my mind they are the best.
- With Amantani fresh in my mind it seemed to me that more than the cattle were tethered here.
- But if students actively dislike school, higher standards and better assessments are not going to change their minds.
- But why Zeus changed his mind and whether Prometheus revealed the secret when he was freed, we do not know.
- Carruthers, I don't know what will happen now, but I have changed my mind.
- Good software gives you the power to change your mind.
- He knew what he had to do and he got up and did it before he changed his mind.
- Pete lifted his knight but changed his mind and put it back on the board.
- Schlesinger first thought him wrong for Ratso, but changed his mind when they met in New York.
- When he met Lee the next morning at nine, he said he had changed his mind about going back.
- Marriage is the last thing on my mind right now.
- At other times, the surroundings helped to take my mind off it.
- I guess there is nothing that will get your mind off every-thing like golf will.
- Instead they tried to take their minds off the poster campaign by providing weekend entertainment.
- It takes your mind off how you feel.
- Kirsty chattered excitedly throughout the journey, helping to keep Shiona's mind off her anxieties.
- Letters could take my mind off most things.
- To take his mind off his worries, I suggested that he wrote out a message for his family.
- When the other guy thinks you are cheating, it can take his mind off the game.
- Just to put your mind at ease, we will get a second opinion from a cardiac specialist.
- The doctor set my mind at rest by explaining exactly what effect the drug would have on me.
- But let me set your mind at rest.
- But she'd like to see him, to try and set her mind at rest.
- He's been very kind to me and Lily, as regards putting our minds at rest about Stella.
- He's unlikely to know how you feel, and until he does, he can't put your mind at rest.
- He must set their minds at rest about the Freddie affair, because they knew of Freddie.
- I wish I could put their minds at rest.
- It puts my mind at rest.
- Quite often, all that is required is a friendly chat to put your mind at rest.
- But his main preoccupation was with the unfinished Requiem, which had begun to prey on his mind.
- Important items which are left have a habit of preying on the mind.
- It began to prey on my mind so much that I went to the casualty department of Charing Cross Hospital.
- It was Tatiana preying on his mind.
- Are you out of your mind?
- You'd be out of your mind to sell it now.
- Coronado, who thought him to be out of his mind, reluctantly saw the men off.
- He said I was out of my mind.
- In fact, I am out of my mind, because she's in it!
- The fans were out of their minds, and the din was deafening.
- You must be out of your mind.
- I'm with the kids all day, and I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my mind.
- If I have to wait in one more line, I'm going to go out of my mind.
- She said she was going out of her mind in California.
- She said she was going out of her mind in California.
- Each ornament on their Christmas tree brings to mind the friend or relative that gave it.
- Wiesel's speech called to mind the victims of the Holocaust.
- But they were shocked that just over one in ten could bring the day to mind.
- But whose ministry is it to bring things to mind and to convict?
- For some reason, the book brings Don Quixote to mind, charging in from the right.
- I can still bring it to mind, with lines of people coming off the hillsides and on to the road.
- Red and green, of course, bring the holidays to mind.
- Remembering them brought back to mind the Wainfleet item.
- Weiss' comment brings several thoughts to mind, about a subject on which little thinking has been done.
- What brings this all to mind is something that happened recently at the convenience store.
- But they put me in mind of trees in November.
- It put Luce in mind of a corrupt and rotting corpse.
- The fried bean curd put one in mind of oriental griddle cakes and needed the hot sauces to extract their inscrutable flavour.
- The Professor couldn't help thinking that he put him in mind of a young Jack Palance.
- What it put me in mind of was a very bad joke that once ran in my family.
- But it stuck in my mind.
- I think those types of things stick in children's minds, so I didn't want her there.
- It is not surprising that phrases do not stick in the mind.
- It must have stuck in her mind, that an honest person might act out of character when severely threatened.
- Last year, 7-21, that stays in your mind.
- One incident that has always stuck in my mind was when I dove for my foxhole at the opening mortar round.
- There are, as always with the work of Ralph Gibson, images that stick in the mind.
- Yet the one small doubt stuck in her mind like a burr in tweed.
- But Mansell has a mind of his own, and he was adamant he would make racing his career.
- Joey's only two, but he has a mind of his own.
- My hair seems to have a mind of its own today.
- She's a woman with a mind of her own, who says what she thinks.
- I have a mind of my own.
- They have minds of their own and will form their own views on what is put before them.
- A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn.
- Across the table, Lalage put her mind to the subjugation of Dada.
- Anybody could do what I do if they put their mind to it.
- But he can turn his mind to detailed needs, like pensions, if he has to.
- He would put his mind to other issues, one of which was sobering in its own right.
- I turned my mind to Archie.
- Whatever you set your mind to, your personal total obsession, this is what kills you.
- When Medea knew the deed was done she turned her mind to one still more dreadful.
- I was trying to study, but my mind just wasn't on it.
- With all the talk of job losses, I was having trouble keeping my mind on my work.
- All good nurses were trained to keep their minds on their jobs, but even good nurses were human.
- But I can not keep my mind on the movie, which now seems false and cloying.
- He was numbed by the thought of this imaginary food and could hardly keep his mind on what the Padre was saying.
- Let's keep our mind on the job at hand.
- On Friday, the day of the fair, I had a dreadful time keeping my mind on my work.
- Primo has been trying to keep his mind on what they are doing in this moment.
- You are going to be hard pushed to keep your mind on whatever you're doing Tuesday.
- But they're not saying if they have Bosnia in mind.
- Did she have Mr Gonzalez in mind?
- I have particularly in mind community nurseries and similar support.
- I still have it in mind that barbers take Mondays off.
- Socrates could not have had in mind the moral compromise peculiar to a nation like our own.
- Those seven heads, with their seven mouths and seven tongues, have other things in mind.
- What they both must have had in mind was a different future for Ameliaone much more lucrative than her past.
- You have to keep in mind the trains here are descending from the Continental Divide and move quickly and quietly.
- I'm sorry, my mind was wandering. What did you say?
- I can't remember her name, but I can clearly see her in my mind's eye.
- I didn't have it in mind to go looking for a four-piece group.
- I still have it in mind that barbers take Mondays off.
- I have half a mind to make you take this right back.
- But mind over matter, I can do it if I really want to, and I will.
- He says it's just a case of mind over matter.
- There are limits, in other words, to mind over matter.
- Bobcat. Keep that in mind.
- But they keep Soviet might in mind, however remote the threat now seems.
- If he had ... no conclusions yet, just bear it in mind.
- It is important to bear this in mind in any study of the role of school governors in meeting special educational needs.
- It is important to keep your audience in mind when writing a report.
- They might bear that in mind.
- To keep it in mind, at all costs.
- We've got to bear it in mind.
- I was hurt that she'd left, but I guess at the back of my mind I always knew she would.
- There was always a slight feeling of fear at the back of his mind.
- Thanks, I'll bear that in mind.
- Tourists must bear in mind that they are visitors in another country.
- I said I would bear his suggestion in mind.
- If he had ... no conclusions yet, just bear it in mind.
- It is important that we bear these differences in mind when we attempt to analyse the formal nature of public sector organisations.
- Mr. Clarke Any intelligent parent, intelligent governor or intelligent newspaper person will bear it in mind that various factors influence results.
- My right hon. Friend should bear that in mind.
- The Prime Minister I will certainly bear that in mind.
- The problem is largely an insuperable one, and all we can do at this stage is to bear it in mind.
- Thus, firms entering overseas markets must bear this in mind when introducing new products or services.
- But Mrs Totteridge was clearly bending her mind to other things.
- I was just walking along, minding my own business, when this guy ran straight into me.
- Can you call to mind when you last saw her?
- Fresno and Modesto are cities that call to mind the words "hot" and "dry."
- The amount of knowledge Lee carries in her head is amazing.
- He must remember the word and carry it in his head for some time, and so is writing from an image.
- Cast you mind back a few weeks to the Athletics Championship in Armagh.
- He frowned, casting his mind back over the conversation they had held.
- Henry cast his mind back to the fateful evening.
- Lisa, if you cast your mind back, I think you'll recall that it was your idea.
- Again, more in control of matters, he cast his mind back.
- He cast his mind back to his homecoming earlier that evening.
- He racked his brains, he cast his mind back.
- I cast my mind back to our excited departure from Gatwick airport.
- Let us cast our minds back to the referendum.
- Interpreting the stories depends on the reader's own cast of mind.
- But does he have the right cast of mind for a post-cold-war world now in its second decade?
- It became a cast of mind, a framework for existence.
- It was rooted in a cast of mind raised to an ethic in the professions.
- Moreover, it raises an interesting question about the cast of mind of the government as a whole as it seeks re-election.
- Nor, if we are in civilised cast of mind, because we wish to become drunk.
- This cast of mind is easily recognizable as the outlook of the traditional ruling class.
- This cast of mind survived for decades.
- At first the doctor said I was suffering from a virus, but now he's changed his mind.
- Barry hadn't changed his mind about leaving.
- Everyone has a right to change their mind.
- I'm hoping Dad will change his mind about Louise after he meets her tonight.
- I've changed my mind about the Riviera. I do like it after all.
- If you change your mind about the job, just give me a call.
- No, I'm not going out tonight. I've changed my mind.
- Use a pencil so you can erase it if you change your mind.
- What if she changes her mind and doesn't turn up?
- But if students actively dislike school, higher standards and better assessments are not going to change their minds.
- But why Zeus changed his mind and whether Prometheus revealed the secret when he was freed, we do not know.
- Carruthers, I don't know what will happen now, but I have changed my mind.
- Good software gives you the power to change your mind.
- He knew what he had to do and he got up and did it before he changed his mind.
- Pete lifted his knight but changed his mind and put it back on the board.
- Schlesinger first thought him wrong for Ratso, but changed his mind when they met in New York.
- When he met Lee the next morning at nine, he said he had changed his mind about going back.
- I go for a long walk at lunchtime to clear my head.
- Gao Yang recalled that the wall barely cleared his head at the time.
- He leaned against the wall desperately trying to clear his mind but the memory proved elusive.
- He wants a few days to clear his head.
- His meeting with the Holtzes seemed to have refreshed Alvin and cleared his mind.
- If not, the cold would clear his head.
- She cleared her head of Rory, all that nonsense.
- She needed the hot draught of caffeine to clear her head.
- So, clear your mind, get out your No. 2 pencils and do your best: 1.
- Academic interpretations held off the shame for a while, but then he could no longer close his mind to it.
- Bambi's closed her mind to it.
- He could tell by her eyes that she had closed her mind to him.
- I closed my ears and tried to close my mind to what was happening.
- Memories of her grandmother's judgements obtruded themselves and she closed her mind against them.
- She had immediately closed her mind to all thought, not even realising how tightly she had been gripping fitzAlan's hand.
- She stretched out on the bed, closing her mind to the sounds and waited.
- Equally the Tender concentrates the mind wonderfully in a way that a final offer by letter from the insurer can not.
- It concentrates the mind better than anything I know.
- "It never crossed my mind to give up," he said. "It became an obsession."
- "Why didn't you call me?" "The thought did cross my mind while I was shopping this afternoon, but then I forgot all about it.
- It crossed my mind that I was the only female coach on the committee, but that made me more determined than ever.
- Several times it had crossed his mind to check on the car, but he never actually did it.
- Knowing that he's getting good medical care does ease my mind.
- The date was engraved on his heart.
- Even now no-one seems quite certain whether this was a fact, a half-fact or the product of a fertile imagination.
- He is said to have been convivial, widely knowledgeable, with a fertile imagination and a whimsical sense of humour.
- I gulped, and fixed my eyes on the blood-red pen on the desk.
- She fixed her eyes on Mr Hollins's face and waited for his answer.
- She fixed her eyes on the jagged line of rocks to which she had to climb.
- She fixed her eyes on the street in an attempt to calm herself.
- She couldn't turn round so she fixed her eyes on her two brothers on the altar.
- Each time I see one of these cocoons hanging from a tree, all of these marvels flash through my mind.
- Her body seemed determined to ignore the danger signals now at last flashing through her brain.
- It flashed through my mind that I was close.
- The image of the guard in his elaborate flowering prison flashes through her head.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The only idea that flashed through my head was that some one had broken into the house and was attacking Master Yehudi.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- The risks of a court case also have to be in the forefront of your mind.
- This meant that fund-raising news and any other news about the deaf was in the forefront of everyone's attention.
- Great visions are the signs of great minds and there were few greater visions than those of Newton and Einstein.
- Alas, there is no space to give a proper account of the thoughts of these great minds.
- Some of the confusion would certainly have been lessened if the two great minds had had opportunities to exchange ideas.
- That presents no danger if our great minds are in Paris or London or the United States.
- The excitement of the intellectual revolution produced some great minds and some important discoveries.
- And such habits of mind survive the passage of time.
- But a habit of mind, something much more important, will stay with young people.
- Has this become a habit of mind?
- If views are similar it's because habits of thought are the same.
- The care of the interior demands an obsessive habit of mind.
- These habits of thought and action enable a business or work group to take full credit for the triumphs it achieves.
- This was his habit of mind.
- What habits of thought could matter more?
- I have half a mind to just go home.
- I have half a mind to tell her what I really think of her.
- I have half a mind to make you take this right back.
- I'm in my mid-thirties and ought to know my own mind by now, but I'm scared of getting married.
- Though not yet 15, Sara knows her own mind, and has already decided on a career.
- All of which suggests a person who knows his own mind and makes his own decisions.
- He hardly knew his own mind, they said candidly among their own intimates.
- People often didn't know their own minds.
- Shirley giggled and said I was a woman who knew her own mind, wasn't I, Jim?
- You don't know your own mind.
- What are you doing on the roof? Have you lost your mind?
- Either she was losing her mind, or she'd followed the wrong man.
- Is Roberto correct when he insists that he is innocent and she has lost her mind?
- Obviously she was losing her mind.
- PipThe Negro cabin boy who loses his mind when abandoned temporarily in the sea.
- Some victims feel they are losing their minds or are about to die.
- The musicians are completely losing their minds.
- There came a day shortly afterwards when I could no longer ignore the fact that he was losing his mind.
- What is not bogus is the position Selda Soyturk is in today because a guy lost his mind behind the wheel.
- I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, I have a lot on my mind at the moment.
- Since the divorce, Linda's had a lot on her mind.
- Stacy didn't go to the party on Saturday because she had a lot on her mind.
- Also there would be no meeting of minds in such a procedure.
- But scriptwriter and narrator Indra Sinha said the video emphasised the meeting of minds as well as bodies.
- He says that he hopes that there will be a meeting of minds on how to deal with traffic problems.
- Only if I used the example of all mankind's progress towards Paradise was there any meeting of minds.
- There was just no meeting of minds on the weapons issue.
- There was no trust between them, no meeting of minds.
- Why such a strange meeting of minds?
- While she waited, she tried to occupy her mind with pleasant thoughts of the vacation.
- That guy has a one-track mind.
- And later she was going to try to get herself to that meeting with an open mind.
- Before he resolves a problem, he keeps an open mind on how that problem might be resolved.
- But officially as least the police are still keeping an open mind.
- He insists he has an open mind on the players he wants to keep.
- In interviews after their inaugural meeting last Thursday, all vowed to keep an open mind on whoever comes before the panel.
- Police say they're keeping an open mind.
- Until the Profitboss makes a decision, he keeps an open mind as to what that decision might be.
- While keeping an open mind, most archaeologists remain extremely doubtful.
- As the days go by open your mind to what is going on around you - what are other people's goals?
- He opened his mind to the sounds of the city.
- If you open your mind, then you see it really does have feeling.
- Television is a powerful force to bring people together to entertain, to educate, to open our minds and hearts.
- The overall influence of Seattle opened his mind on a few things.
- Very soon the research opened my mind to more subtle ideas.
- We are duty-bound to search, question, open our minds.
- We must break down the barriers of conditioning and open our minds to far higher goals.
- I was so mad that I called back and gave her a piece of my mind.
- If one of the kids is being sassy, Inez gives them a piece of her mind.
- Boy, am I going to give him a piece of my mind when I see him.
- But it was worth it, to give Hilda Machin a piece of her mind.
- I begin to pronounce the sequence of words and numbers that will prevent her from giving him a piece of her mind.
- Ready to give somebody a piece of her mind, Aunt Pat strode to the front door and flung it open.
- She'd give Gloria a piece of her mind when she got home!
- She managed to manoeuvre into the remaining space and got out to give somebody a piece of her mind.
- Their conversation had planted doubts in Dennis' mind about the partnership.
- A line from an old drinking song popped into his head.
- And Arnie was the first lie that popped into her head.
- Funny, the sort of things which popped into your head.
- List these assets and liabilities at random as they pop into your mind or as they are suggested to you by others.
- Whenever the question of whether or not she needed him popped into her head, Constance conveniently ducked it.
- But his main preoccupation was with the unfinished Requiem, which had begun to prey on his mind.
- Important items which are left have a habit of preying on the mind.
- It began to prey on my mind so much that I went to the casualty department of Charing Cross Hospital.
- It was Tatiana preying on his mind.
- Don't expect your spouse to be able to read your mind.
- But let me set your mind at rest.
- But she'd like to see him, to try and set her mind at rest.
- He's been very kind to me and Lily, as regards putting our minds at rest about Stella.
- He's unlikely to know how you feel, and until he does, he can't put your mind at rest.
- He must set their minds at rest about the Freddie affair, because they knew of Freddie.
- I wish I could put their minds at rest.
- It puts my mind at rest.
- Quite often, all that is required is a friendly chat to put your mind at rest.
- But where there are sellers there are buyers, and it was this latter rare species we had set our sights on.
- Gazing intently into her computer screen, Christine Montgomery has set her sights on the next generation of electronic language translators.
- He knew he was bound to pull any girl he set his mind on - he always had.
- Heath had set her sights on the U. S. Senate seat from Colorado.
- Her youth and beauty elicited a predictable reaction from my father, who set his sights on her at once.
- Sofa Head's greatest asset is the realisation that you don't have to set your sights on one target.
- Wagner set his sights on a degree in electrical engineering, and he followed his star with a fervid intensity.
- Yes, she thought, if Tamar had set her mind on something she would never rest until it was accomplished.
- I tucked it in the back of a drawer, figuring out of sight, out of mind.
- He had seemed thrown for a moment, as though it had genuinely slipped his mind that he was about to be married.
- I can't believe it has slipped my mind.
- It slipped my mind because of the tragedy that followed.
- It completely slipped my mind I was going to be accused of theft!
- It had slipped his mind entirely that today.
- Jean hadn't even asked Helen what she had said; the entire episode had slipped her mind.
- Yes, that had slipped her mind.
- You think something as important as that would slip my mind?
- Larry isn't afraid to speak his mind, even in front of the boss.
- Sam has never been shy about speaking his mind.
- She's very direct and believes in speaking her mind.
- She believes in speaking her mind, which makes her very unpopular.
- We thought that the process of filming might stop people from speaking their minds.
- Dean Shearer was a man of compassion, humility and integrity who was never afraid to speak his mind.
- Even if they disagree sometimes with what he says, they like a candidate who speaks his mind.
- He dawdled, afraid to say no or resist her or speak his mind.
- Nizan generally spoke his mind and refused to pull his punches.
- The company insists Vinik spoke his mind at the time comments were made and he simply changed his opinions.
- What does one say in a culture that hesitates to speak its mind?
- With Freemantle Leapor could easily speak her mind; to have the same confidence with new readers would take time.
- Dell and Elonex immediately spring to mind.
- Faded was the word that sprang to mind - everything had a rather tired quality about it.
- If we think of the ways in which the term research is used, a variety of activities spring to mind.
- Impressive was the first word that sprang to mind.
- Noble was the word which sprang to Amabel's mind.
- Some comic examples spring to mind.
- That written, qualifications immediately spring to mind.
- My uncle told me the story when I was little, and it's always stuck in my mind.
- But it stuck in my mind.
- I think those types of things stick in children's minds, so I didn't want her there.
- It is not surprising that phrases do not stick in the mind.
- It must have stuck in her mind, that an honest person might act out of character when severely threatened.
- One incident that has always stuck in my mind was when I dove for my foxhole at the opening mortar round.
- Perhaps the image is just so startling that it sticks in our minds.
- The whole weekend had been unsettling, which was perhaps why the game had stuck in her mind.
- Yet the one small doubt stuck in her mind like a burr in tweed.
- Henry had a tidy mind, and he was practical.
- He is a very intelligent man with a scientific turn of mind.
- Certainly there were Gallo-Romans of an independent turn of mind in the south.
- She was a plain girl, with straight hair and thin limbs and a mathematical turn of mind.
- Very often students' inventive turn of mind can be useful at such formats, and they will largely be absent.
- As ever, he was in two minds about Clarac's value to the project.
- Do you know, he was in two minds about accepting?
- For a second he was in two minds about it.
- I am in two minds whether to change the engine or repair it.
- In her own cottage a few miles away the witch Agnes Nitt was in two minds about her new pointy hat.
- Please be warned: they are capable of getting through that gap which you are in two minds about bothering to block.
- They were not to be in two minds.
- This time she seemed to be in two minds about what to do.
- Succeeding in her career was uppermost in her mind.
- In fact, financial problems may not be uppermost in her mind.
- In fact, they brought up the question before I could do so because it was uppermost in their minds.
- It was only natural that that thought should be uppermost in her mind.
- Nor was there the slightest need to tell her of the thoughts that were uppermost in his mind.
- She was certain, however, that it was not the weather that was uppermost in his mind.
- Still, the aspect of that news which affected himself was uppermost in his mind, threatening to swamp such minor worries.
- The one which was uppermost in her mind was Maurin.
- Two thoughts were uppermost in my mind.
- My mind is wandering, as Isabel has said, I forget things.
- Paul finds his mind is wandering, thinking about the poll tax program again.
- And when he had done with her, she could wipe him from her mind, obliterate him.
- He cared nothing for his wife and daughter and they must wipe him from their minds.
WORD FAMILYnounmindminderreminderadjectivemindlessmindedmindfulverbmindremindadverbmindlessly
1ability to think and imagine [countable, uncountable] your thoughts or your ability to think, feel, and imagine things: 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 somebody’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 mind2change 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.mind about If you change your mind about the colour scheme, it’s easy to just paint over it.3make 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.mind 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 somethingmind about I could never really make my mind up about him. You’re old enough to make your own mind up about smoking.4have 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?5bear/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.6with 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.7on your/somebody’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.8get/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.9cross/enter somebody’s mind (also come into somebody’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.10go/run/flash etc through somebody’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.11come/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.12character [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.13intelligence [countable usually singular] your intelligence and ability to think, rather than your emotions: a mind trained to react with split-second accuracya brilliant/enquiring/logical etc mind a bright child with an enquiring mind14intelligent 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.15state/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.16to/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.17go/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.18be the last thing on somebody’s mind (also be the furthest thing from somebody’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.19take/keep/get somebody’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.20set/put somebody’s mind at rest (also set/put somebody’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.21it/that is a load/weight off somebody’s mind informal used to say that someone does not have to worry about something anymore22prey on somebody’s mind (also play on somebody’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.23no 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.24be out of your mind informal to be stupid or crazy: He must have been out of his mind to employ her.25be 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.26go 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.27somebody’s mind goes blank (also somebody’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.28go (right/clean) out of somebody’s mind (also slip somebody’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.29bring/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.30put 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.31stick/stay in somebody’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.32be 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.mind on/about The council and the government are of one mind on the long-term objective.33have 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.34put/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.35somebody’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.36keep 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.37somebody’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.38somebody’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.39it’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.40in 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.41have it in mind formal to intend to do somethinghave 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.42have 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.43mind 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 back2(6), → blow somebody’s mind at blow1(15), → cast your mind back at cast1(9), → a closed mind at closed(4), → be in/at/to the forefront of somebody’s mind/attention at forefront(2), → give somebody a piece of your mind at piece1(13), → great minds think alike at great1(15), → know your own mind at know1(50), → the mind boggles at boggle, → meeting of minds at meeting(5), → one-track mind, → an open mind at open1(16), → out of sight, out of mind at sight1(8), → peace of mind at peace(3), presence of mind, → read somebody’s mind at read1(15), → set your heart/mind/sights on (doing) something at set1(13), → be of sound mind at sound3(5), → speak your mind at speak(7), → be in two minds at two(9)THESAURUSmind what you use to think and imagine things: · My mind was full of big ideas.· I never know what’s going on in her mind.· At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I’d met her somewhere before.· 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.· You need to get it into your head that you’ve done nothing wrong.· To keep myself calm, I counted to ten in my head.· 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.· 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.· Freud has provided an account of the human psyche’s stages of development.· 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.· 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 unconsciousmind1 nounmind2 verb
mindmind2 ●●● S1 W2 verb VERB TABLE
mind
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | mind |
| he, she, it | minds | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | minded |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have minded |
| he, she, it | has minded | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had minded |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will mind |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have minded |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am minding |
| he, she, it | is minding | |
| you, we, they | are minding | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was minding |
| you, we, they | were minding | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been minding |
| he, she, it | has been minding | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been minding |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be minding |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been minding |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Are you sure your mother doesn't mind?
- He spends as much time as his wife minding the children.
- Mothers who work part-time are able to mind other people's children when they are not working.
- Of course I don't mind if you bring a few friends over.
- The woman who minds Pip and Emma collects them from school and gives them an evening meal.
- Never mind love, never mind passion.
- Never mind opponents lacking the bottle to take on the Old Trafford stars.
- Nobody seems to mind that much.
- Owen knew this and didn't mind it.
- Though whether he minded or not I'd no idea.
- When you only used to do four or five a year - never mind five in one weekend.
- You might not mind fur on blankets and bedspreads, but the next guest could be allergic to animals.
THESAURUS
(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.· Taking care of a baby is hard work.· She is taking care of her grandmother while her grandfather is in hospital.
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.· Caring for an elderly relative can be very rewarding.
to look after someone who is ill: · He nursed his wife through a long illness.· The monks nursed him back to health (=looked after him until he was well again).
to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere: · I’ll ask Jane to babysit on Wednesday night.· He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights.
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?
Longman Language Activatoryour mind what you use to think and imagine things: · His mind was full of big ideas for developing the company.· Dave struggled hard to push these worries out of his mind. (=try not to think about them)in your mind: · She had a picture of him in her mind - tall, blond and handsome.at the back of your mind (=when an idea is not very clear or certain): · At the back of my mind I had the funny feeling that I'd met her somewhere before.go/run through your mind (=): · The same thoughts kept going through my mind and I couldn't get to sleep.turn something over in your mind (=think about something carefully): · It was an interesting idea. Jeff turned it over in his mind on the way to work.what's going on in somebody's mind (=what somebody is thinking): · I never know what's going on in her mind.your mind wanders (=you cannot make yourself concentrate on a particular subject , and you start thinking about other things): · The teacher talked on and on and my mind began to wander.
your ability to think and the way that you think: · My brain worked fast as I tried to decide what to do.· Branson has an excellent business brain.
someone's mind - use this especially when talking about the thoughts that are in someone's mind: · Dan's head was full of big ideas.what's going on in somebody's head (=what somebody is thinking): · She's so quiet - you never quite know what's going on inside her head.
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: the subconscious: · When you go to sleep it is only the conscious mind that shuts down. The subconscious cannot do so.somebody's subconscious: · Our subconscious plays tricks with us sometimes and we may imagine that we are seeing things such as ghosts.
formal someone's mind, especially their feelings and attitudes, and the way these influence their character: · The need for love is deeply buried in our psyche.· the fragile psyche of a teenagerthe human/female/American etc psyche (=the typical psyche of a human, female etc): · Freud has provided an account of the human psyche's different stages of development.
affecting your mind affecting your mind or happening in your mind: · After months of overworking, Briggs was suffering from mental and physical exhaustion.· It takes a lot of mental effort to understand these ideas.mental picture/image (=a picture that you have in your mind): · I'd never met Jane's boyfriend, but I had a clear mental picture of what he looked like.mental illness/problem/breakdown (=an illness, problem etc of your mind, not your body): · Rick had a complete mental breakdown after his family died in a car crash.
affecting the mind - use this especially about mental problems that influence the way someone behaves: · The cause of a physical illness can often be psychological.a psychological problem: · She works with children who have psychological problems.
also unconscious subconscious feelings, desires, worries etc are hidden in your mind and you do not realize that you have them: · People who come to me for counselling are very often suffering from unconscious feelings of guilt. · a subconscious fear of failure
subliminal messages and images are hidden in advertisements, pictures etc and can influence your mind without you realizing it: · Any kind of subliminal advertising is illegal on British TV.· Young people are receiving constant subliminal messages glorifying pop stars, their cars, their girlfriends.
ways of asking someone to do something or to let you have something use this to ask someone politely to do something for you or to let you do something: · I'd like to ask you a couple of questions - do you mind?would/do you mind if: · Would you mind if I held the baby?· Do you mind if I just turn down the volume a little?would/do you mind doing something?: · Would you mind stopping at the Post Office on the way home?· Dinner won't be on the table for another half hour - do you mind waiting?
British /(would/could you) do me a favor? American use this to ask someone to do something for you or help you with something. Using do me a favour alone is more informal than saying would or could you do me a favour: · Would you do me a favour and call Tom to tell him I'm on my way home?· Do me a favor - in that box over there, there's a screwdriver - can you hand it to me?· Could you do me a favour and lock everything up at five?
also I would appreciate it if ... use this in formal language or business letters to ask someone to do something for you: · I would be grateful if you could send this information to me at the address below.· I would appreciate it if you could let me know when you will be making your decision.
use this to ask someone to do something for you. Could you and would you are more polite than can you: · Could you hold these while I get my keys?· Would you get me a towel, please?· Can you babysit for us Friday night?
use this to politely get someone's attention or to interrupt what they are doing when you want to ask them something. Pardon me is slightly old-fashioned and is more formal than excuse me: · Excuse me, could I borrow your pen for a minute?· Pardon me, do you know what time it is?
what you say when warning someone to be careful spoken: careful!/be careful! · There's ice on the roads tonight so be careful.· Careful! That's hot.be careful with · Hey! Careful with that cigarette!be careful with something · You be careful with that knife. be careful (not) to do something · Be careful not to get any of that bleach on your clothes.be careful(that) you do something · You'll have to be careful you don't lose your balance.be careful what/where/how etc · The whole interview will be recorded so you'd better be careful what you say.
spoken say this to warn someone to be careful, especially when you think they may not realize there are dangers or risks: · Take care. That gun's loaded.· Take care when you open the van door, sometimes it springs open suddenly.take care (not) to do something: · Take care not to leave any money in the changing rooms.
spoken say this to warn someone that they are going to have an accident and they must do something quickly to avoid it: · Watch out - you're going to spill paint over my new carpet!· Look out, Phil - there's a car coming!
spoken say this when someone has just done something dangerous, and you want to tell them to be careful: · Watch it! You nearly knocked my head off with that stick!
British spoken say this when you want someone to move to one side to avoid possible danger: · Mind out -- there's a snowball coming towards you!
when you do not care because you will be happy whatever happens British /don't care American to not care because you will be happy with whatever happens or with whatever someone decides: · "What would you like to do tonight?" "I don't mind. You decide."· "Do you want white bread or wheat?" "I don't care. Either one is fine."don't mind where/what/how etc: · Honestly, I don't mind whether Linda comes with us or not.· They won't care if we're a few minutes late.
especially British, spoken to not care what happens or what is decided, especially when someone has asked you what you would prefer: · "Do you want to sit in the front seat or the back?'' "I'm not fussy.''be not fussy where/what/which etc: · I'm not fussy where I stay, as long as it's cheap.be not fussy about: · She's not fussy about what kind of car she drives.· He's not very fussy about his appearance, is he?
spoken say this when you do not mind what happens because it does not affect you or cause you any problems: · You can come on Thursday or Friday -- it makes no difference to me.· We can go out to eat if you want - it's all the same to me.· Mamet says it makes no difference to him what a movie costs, as long as it's a good movie.
spoken informal say this when someone asks you which one of two things you would prefer, and you want to tell them that you do not mind what is decided: · "Do you want to watch the news or the late night film?'' "I'm easy.''
spoken say this when you do not care what someone else does because it does not affect you in any way: · It's no skin off our nose if they don't want to come along.· If my sister wants to throw her money away, then fine. It's no skin off my nose.
spoken say this when someone has told you what they are going to do, and even though you do not think it is a good idea, you do not care whether they do it or not: · "I think I'll just stay home tonight." "Suit yourself."· "Do you mind if I sit here?'' "Suit yourself,'' she said, without looking up.
what you say to tell someone that you forgive them spoken say this when someone has said that they are sorry for something they did: · "Sorry I didn't phone you last week." "That's OK - I know how busy you've been."· "I must apologize for keeping you waiting so long." "That's all right."
spoken informal say this to tell someone that you do not blame them for something, and that they should not worry about it any more: · "I feel so bad about upsetting your plans.'' "Oh, forget it. it really doesn't matter.''
spoken say this when someone says they are sorry that they made a mistake or forgot something, and you want to tell them not to worry: · "Please forgive me for losing your book." "Oh, never mind. I have another copy."
spoken say this when someone says they are sorry, and you want to tell them politely that there is no need to be sorry: · "I'm sorry we had to cancel the party.'' "Oh, please don't give it another thought. It wasn't your fault that you were ill!''
spoken informal say this when you want to tell someone that you are not angry with them, even though they have upset you or you have quarrelled with them: · No hard feelings, Stu. You had every right to be angry with me.
what you say to ask permission · Can I borrow your pen for a minute?· Hey Dad, can I stay at Sara's house tonight?· Can I go to the bathroom?
use this to ask someone politely if you can do something: · May I ask you a question, Mr Simmonds?· May I see your ticket, please?
use this when you are worried that what you want to do will annoy or interrupt someone else: · Is it all right if I smoke?· Do you mind if I open the window?· Would you mind if I made a call?
to look after someone especially British to spend time with a child or with someone who is old or sick, and make sure they are safe and have the things they need: · Can you look after the kids for me this afternoon?· I've told you, I can't come. There's no one to look after Frieda.· Jonathon has no idea what it means to take care of a baby all day long. · We specialize in helping caregivers who take care of relatives in their own homes.
to look after someone who is very ill or very old by doing everything for them: · Elsie had to leave her job to care for her sick father.· St Helen's Hospice, which cares for the terminally ill, is holding a special fund-raising week.· It is one of the only charities to care for Aids patients and ex-prisoners.
British to look after children for a short time while their parents are out doing something else: · The woman who minds Pip and Emma collects them from school and gives them an evening meal.· Mothers who work part-time are able to mind other people's children when they are not working.
also sit American to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere, especially when they pay you a small amount of money for doing this: · I'll ask Jane to babysit on Wednesday night.· Ask Alex and Joan next time you're babysitting.babysit for: · He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights.· Jenny sat for us last Friday evening when we went to the movies.
to stay with a child and watch them to see that they are safe, especially for a short time: · Benjy, I want you to stay in the yard where I can keep an eye on you.· Would you mind keeping an eye on Stacey while I go for a cigarette?keep a close/careful/watchful eye on somebody: · He warned parents to continue to keep a close eye on their children.
to look after someone who is ill and to make them well again or to make them comfortable: · Tony nursed his wife through her long illness without ever complaining.· Irina had wanted to nurse him, but the doctors had sent her away.nurse somebody back to health (=look after a sick person until they are well again): · The monks tended his wounds and nursed him back to health.
British /caregiver American someone who looks after another person who is too young or ill to look after himself or herself - used especially on official forms, in official letters, in newspapers etc: · Hospital staff can provide additional home support for carers.· We have a high number of volunteer carers at the day centre.· Like many caregivers, Marian gave up her job to provide 24-hour care for an elderly relative.
to shake your head as a way of saying no use this when you want to make it clear that nothing will change a situation, your intention etc: no matter how much/many: · I'm determined to go to New York, no matter how much it costs.no matter what/who/when etc: · Paul always calls me every day, no matter where he is.· No matter what position he plays, he'll be a great asset to the team.no matter how good/small/hot etc: · I never win, no matter how hard I try.· Dad was determined to get to the truth, no matter how long it took.
use this when the fact that something is very big, good etc does not change a situation: however much/many: · However much I try, I just don't understand him at all.however however adj/adv: · I could never watch any movie more than once, however good it is.· Each one of us, however old or however young, is a valuable member of society.
used when it is not important what happens, who does something etc, because it does not change the situation or your intention: · "I don't care," Carrie cried, "whatever anyone says!"· We can take a taxi or the bus, whichever comes first.· He's a capable man. I'm sure he can deal with whatever problems arise.· Don't forget, it's your job to support your leader, whoever it is.whichever of somebody/something: · Whichever of the cars you choose, I'm sure you'll be very pleased.
use this when what is done is not affected by different situations, problems etc: regardless of: · The rate of contribution to the pension plan is the same for all employees, regardless of age.regardless of whether/what/who etc: · Many people stick with their banks regardless of whether they offer the best deal.carry on/continue regardless: · It may rain by the end of the day, but we plan to carry on regardless.
use this when the same thing happens in every case without being affected by facts such as age, size, time, or position: · The job is open to anyone with the right qualifications, irrespective of their age.· Justice for all, irrespective of race or class, is everyone's right.irrespective of what/where/who etc: · All children should have access to the latest technology, irrespective of where they live or how much their parents earn.
use this to say that something should be ignored because it does not affect the situation or your intention: never mind that!: · "How do you know so much about Jake anyway?" "Never mind that!"never mind something: · I want this wedding to be perfect, never mind the cost.never mind what/why/when etc: · Never mind what Jalal says, Peter is a trusted member of our community.never mind that: · Never mind that it's late. I need to talk to you now.
use this when you are determined to do something whatever happens: · I'll be there come what may. I promise.· Some people are getting out of the country fast, but my cousin's family has decided to stay, come what may.
what you say to tell someone that something is private use this to tell someone, who has asked you about something private, that you think they have no right to ask you: · "I don't care what you think, and anyway it's none of your business," she said rather rudely.· "Where did you get the money?" "That's my business."it's none of your business what/where/how etc: · It's none of your business how much I earn.
say this when someone is asking questions about your private life that you do not want to answer: · "Where did you sleep last night?" "Mind your own business."· I wish you'd stop interfering and mind your own business.
ways of asking someone to repeat something also excuse me? American spoken say this when you want to ask someone politely to repeat what they just said because you did not hear it: · "It's hot today, isn't it?" "Pardon?"· "Could you tell me what time it is?" "Sorry?"· "Damn," I muttered. "Excuse me?" said the clerk.
spoken informal say this when you did not hear what someone said, or when you are surprised by what they said: · "Are you going to the bar?" "What? Oh, yes, I suppose so."· "Oh, shut up!" "What did you say?"
also could you repeat that/the question etc? use this in formal situations to ask someone to repeat something: · "My name's Marsden." "Would you mind repeating that, please?"· "How long have you been here?" "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
to want something or want to do something · My parents moved out of London because they wanted a bigger house.· Do you want milk in your coffee?want to do something · What do you want to do at the weekend?· Stacey wants to be a doctor.want somebody to do something · She wants Tom to come to her party.what somebody wants is · What we want is a car that's cheap and reliable.if you want (to) · You can go back to bed for a while if you want.
especially spoken use this as a polite way of asking for something, offering something, or saying what you want to do: · We'd like some information about flights to Chicago, please.· Would you like some more coffee?would like to do something: · I'd like to reserve a room for Saturday.· Would you like to borrow this book?would like somebody to do something: · We would like you to attend an interview at 3:30 on Friday.
especially spoken to want to have something or do something, because you think you would enjoy it: · I feel like a long, hot soak in the bath.· It's a lovely day - do you feel like a walk?feel like doing something: · I feel like watching a movie tonight.
spoken to want to do or have something, but not very strongly: · I wouldn't mind another cup of coffee. How about you?I wouldn't mind doing something: · It was a really good play. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.
formal to want to do something: wish to do something: · I wish to purchase a second house in the UK for investment purposes.· Anyone wishing to order the book should send a cheque to the publishers.if you wish: · Everyone has the right to smoke if they wish, but not the right to ruin the health of those around them.
say this when you would like to do or have something: · "How about a girls' night out on the town?" "I wouldn't say no!"I wouldn't say no to: · I wouldn't say no to a glass of whisky!
to think that you may want to do something, buy something, or get involved in something: · Melanie wants to be a lawyer, and Sam's interested in a career in teaching.be interested in doing something: · We're interested in buying an apartment downtown.· Would you be interested in going to the theatre with me on Friday? I have two tickets for "The King and I".
British informal to want to have or do something: · Do you fancy a drink?· I think he's always fancied a car like Lizzie's.fancy doing something: · I really fancy going for a swim.
informal if something takes your fancy , you want to do or have it as soon as you see it or think of it: · We could go to the movies or go out for a meal -- whatever takes your fancy.· She wandered around the market stalls, stopping occasionally to look at something that took her fancy.
what you say when you want to warn someone spoken say this to urgently warn someone that they will have an accident if they do not immediately try to avoid it: · "Look out!" yelled Willie. "He's got a gun!"· Look out! There's a train coming!· Watch out! You nearly hit that car.
British spoken use this to warn someone not to touch something or do something that would be dangerous or cause trouble: · Mind the table Charlotte, there are drinks on it.mind/mind out: · Mind! The plate's hot.· Mind out! There's a motorcycle!mind you don't do something: · The cat's down there - mind you don't tread on him.mind how you go (=used to warn someone to walk carefully to avoid slipping or falling): · Mind how you go. The path's a bit slippery.
use this to warn someone that what they are doing could be dangerous: · "Watch out!" yelled the driver, as the truck veered towards his car.· Watch it! You nearly knocked my head off with that ladder.
spoken use this to warn someone that what they are doing could be dangerous: · I handed Phil the heavy revolver. "Be careful, it's loaded."· Be careful, it's very hot.be careful with: · Hey! Be careful with that cigarette!be careful/take care not to do something: · Be careful not to do anything that might make him angry.
especially written used to warn people about something dangerous - usually seen on signs and official statements: · Beware. Deep water.beware of: · Beware of the dog.· Beware of falling rocks.· The police warn tourists to beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places.beware of doing something: · Beware of accidentally starting the engine while you are cleaning the blades.
spoken informal use this to warn or advise someone that they should do something in order to avoid trouble: · "I suppose I ought to apologize." "Yes, you'd better, or she might make things difficult for you."you'd better do something: · You'd better tell the police in case they think it was your fault.· The train leaves in twenty minutes, so you'd better hurry up!
British spoken say this to warn someone that something they are determined to do is not sensible and will probably end badly: · Never have an affair with a work colleague - they usually end in tears.it'll (all) end in tears: · My common sense told me: "Stay away! It'll end in tears!"
to be willing to do something if you are willing to do something that is necessary or that you have been asked to do, you will do it fairly happily: · He's willing to tell the police everything he knows.· To do well as a journalist, you have to be willing to change jobs very frequently.· Investors are willing to pay more for stocks when interest rates are low.
to be willing to do something at any time, whenever it needs to be done: · I'm always ready to help if you need me.· We are ready to consider any serious proposals.· If you really want to sell, price your house sensibly and be ready to make a deal.
spoken to be willing to do something that someone wants you to do, even though you might prefer not to: · I don't mind driving if you're tired.· If you don't mind waiting a few minutes, we can check our records for you.
to be very willing to do something that will help someone else: · Our sales staff are always pleased to help.· "Could you do me a favor?" "Sure, I'd be glad to."· John says he'd be happy to give you a hand with the gardening.be only too glad/happy/pleased to do something (=be very willing): · I'd be only too pleased to look after the kids for you.
to say that you are willing to do something that someone has asked you to do, especially when this will take some effort or be inconvenient: · I've agreed to help Sarah move house this weekend.· One of the jurors agreed to talk about the experience, but did not want to be named.kindly agree to do something formal: · Officer Browning has kindly agreed to come into school and give us a talk on crime prevention.
to be willing to do something, especially something difficult or unpleasant: · He was prepared to use force if necessary.· You'll never learn to speak another language unless you're prepared to make an effort.· Griffiths was prepared to spend up to $500,000 to renovate the old theater.
eager, hard-working, and willing to do anything you are asked to do: · He's not a very bright boy, but he's young, strong, and willing.· She's an enthusiastic, willing learner.
informal to be willing to try something dangerous, new, difficult, or risky: · "Want to go climbing with us?" "Yeah, I'm game."be game to do something American: · She's one of those people who's game to try anything.be game for British: · Tim's always game for a laugh. (=willing to do things that might be fun)
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Mind you don’t fall! Mind your head – the ceiling’s a bit low. We’ll go there together – that’s if you don’t mind.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. Travel broadens the mind (=helps you to understand and accept other people’s beliefs, customs etc). You’re facing this situation with a closed mind. Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. Fear had clouded his vision. I’m concentrating my efforts on writing my autobiography. It didn’t cross her mind that she might be doing something illegal. Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. I can leave the children with my mother with an easy mind. He couldn’t erase the image from his mind. She had tried to erase the memory of that day. It’s an issue that’s exercised the minds of scientists for a long time. Your problem is you’ve got a filthy mind (=you are always thinking about sex). When he left, Karen found herself heaving a huge sigh of relief. She tried to concentrate, but found her mind drifting back to Alex. She tried to focus her mind on her work. The accident was still fresh in her mind. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you moving? The sight of Joe’s dead body was imprinted on his mind forever. They get on well together because they are of like mind. a chance to meet like-minded people Knowing he was safe was a load off my mind (=I felt less worried). He’s obviously playing mind games with you. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. Television violence is poisoning the minds of young people. youngsters with an independent turn of mind people of unsound mind (=people who are mentally ill) To the untutored ear, this music sounds as if it might have been written by Beethoven. I’m sure there’s something weighing on his mind. I shall never understand the workings of his mind (=how he thinks).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
Mind you don’t fall! Mind your head – the ceiling’s a bit low. We’ll go there together – that’s if you don’t mind. (=when someone is able to think quickly and clearly)· A fit body is crucial if you want an active mind.
· I’m scared and I don’t mind admitting it.
British English (=a way of thinking)· Being young is simply an attitude of mind.
He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. (=extremely bored)· In some of the lessons, I was bored out of my mind.
Travel broadens the mind (=helps you to understand and accept other people’s beliefs, customs etc). You’re facing this situation with a closed mind. Don’t let your personal feelings cloud your judgement. Fear had clouded his vision. I’m concentrating my efforts on writing my autobiography. It didn’t cross her mind that she might be doing something illegal. (=used to tell someone you have thought of the thing they are suggesting, or have never thought of it)
(=having one clear aim and working very hard to achieve it)· Whatever task he undertook was tackled with single-minded determination.
British English (=think about sex a lot)
Idly she let her eyes drift over his desk. spoken informal (=make someone feel very annoyed)· That voice of hers drives me up the wall.
I can leave the children with my mother with an easy mind. (=used to say that someone never considered a particular idea, especially when this is surprising) It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else.
It never entered his head that she might be seeing someone else. He couldn’t erase the image from his mind. She had tried to erase the memory of that day. It’s an issue that’s exercised the minds of scientists for a long time. Your problem is you’ve got a filthy mind (=you are always thinking about sex). When he left, Karen found herself heaving a huge sigh of relief. She tried to concentrate, but found her mind drifting back to Alex. She tried to focus her mind on her work. (=make people give their attention to something) We need to focus public attention on this issue.
We need to focus public attention on this issue. The accident was still fresh in her mind. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you moving?· Distances in space are too great for the human mind to comprehend.
The sight of Joe’s dead body was imprinted on his mind forever. (=people who share the same opinions)· The message board is a forum where like-minded individuals can communicate.
They get on well together because they are of like mind. a chance to meet like-minded people Knowing he was safe was a load off my mind (=I felt less worried). (also remember your manners British English) (=used for telling a child to behave politely)· I frowned at him and told him to mind his manners.
He’s obviously playing mind games with you. It’s important to keep an open mind as you study the topic. Television violence is poisoning the minds of young people.· What was his state of mind at the time of the attack?
(=determination to do something)· In pursuing this ambition, William showed remarkable strength of purpose.
(=someone has a thought)· The thought never crossed my mind that I could be wrong.
youngsters with an independent turn of mind people of unsound mind (=people who are mentally ill) To the untutored ear, this music sounds as if it might have been written by Beethoven. I’m sure there’s something weighing on his mind. I shall never understand the workings of his mind (=how he thinks).· Never mind that Prime Ministers do not actually own the Elgin marbles.· Never mind that it just might provide a superior education to those who choose to attend.· We don't know were your dad is and he's lost altogether I suppose but never mind him.· Never mind that Jair is a force in Pop Warner football, whose weight limit he also is about to outgrow.· But never mind the trash shops and the coach lamps.· Never mind that he does run on a bit.· How could any man want to lay a finger on her, never mind father her children?· But never mind, he would send for Basha.
NOUN· Then I felt a fool and decided to leave it and mind my own business.· He also fired his lawyer and told civil libertarians to mind their own business.· His life had been well-ordered and reasonably happy, he thought, by minding his own business.· He had not minded his own business as a man of seventy in New York should do.· She hoped he didn't interpret them as telling him to mind his own business.· Needless to say, Lleland became enraged at the idea and told me to mind my own business.· In Havana in April, Fidel Castro politely told him to mind his own business.· Here nobody else minded your business.
· Never mind the fact that some of us remember individual offices and desks first time around.· Nor did they mind the fact that she was constantly picking up and leaving for short periods to fulfill speaking engagements elsewhere.· At this stage, thoughts will no doubt come to mind which are in fact untrue.· Never mind the fact that, in market economies, almost any economic activity can sometimes be said to meet this test.· His boss doesn't mind, in fact she often turns up to listen.· Red Rum may have won the race, but never mind the facts.
· Carrie had been minding the shop.· I have to mind the shop here.· Emily and Maudie can mind the shop quite well without me, so I can look after Josh and the boys.· But never mind the trash shops and the coach lamps.
· That written, qualifications immediately spring to mind.· Dell and Elonex immediately spring to mind.· Sheridan and Cantona are the prime examples that spring to mind.· They are not words which spring immediately to mind when considering the honours system in general.· Leading Leisure and Corton Beach spring to mind.· Geographically based organisations Geographically based organisations such as retail businesses readily spring to mind.· It will be useful for processor hungry applications - spreadsheets, graphics applications, and multitasking spring readily to mind.
· A thought suddenly came to mind.· Weiss' comment brings several thoughts to mind, about a subject on which little thinking has been done.
VERB· It brings to mind the ludicrous feud between Liam Gallagher and Robbie Williams, who need their silly heads knocking together.· Tourists are drawn to them in a spirit of nostalgia for the courage they recall and the peacefulness they bring to mind.· Whatever it was that he could not bring to mind must lie in the past.· Those are the still the first words that cancer brings to mind.· It brings to mind Danny Baker's comment about Millwall under Rioch, that they should play in grey kits.· The scale and spirit of the iron creatures on display brought to mind one image: mechanical dinosaurs without skin.· This shot brings to mind one very important aspect of tropical island work.· Which brings to mind that old saw about being careful what you wish for...
· The two incidents which were called to mind related to the Company golf scene.· He erupted for two dazzling touchdowns, calling to mind his 235-yard, signature effort against Washington in the 1993 Rose Bowl.· What, or whom, does it call to mind?· His words called to mind our own culpability, which we find hard to admit.· Mungo nodded, calling to mind a diabetic schoolfriend who had to inject himself daily.· This move should call to mind some remarks made in 2.4 about the causal theory of knowledge.· There we were, in a church bedecked with flowers, in arrangements calling to mind every aspect of parish life.
· Other scenarios come to mind when exploring further areas of development for the partnership.· Dame Edna and sausage rolls come immediately to mind.· She was disappointed to find that nothing came immediately to mind.· The two sources of power that first come to mind are solar and nuclear.· It's amazing the ideas that can come to mind with a little thought and some extra effort on your part.· The students here are not those who come to mind for most of us when we think about school success.· The acid-sweet pastels of 1950s' food photography come to mind.· Paramour comes to mind, but that is a neuter term.
· I do hope you won't mind.· Oh, by the way, I ran off copies for myself, I hope you don't mind.· I hope you didn't mind my asking you to come here.· I do hope she doesn't mind lending you for just one dinner.
· The ducks don't seem to mind it, cos there's quite a few swimming about now.· But no one seemed to mind.· Mrs Baggley didn't seem to mind.· Renie never seemed to mind wearing clothes that reeked of onions, fried fish, boiled cabbage.· Her parents did not seem to mind that he had no qualifications and had not finished his university course.· Nobody seems to mind that much.· But in the half light, he didn't seem to mind.· Most Westerners would have found this diet a privation: Langford seems not to have minded it.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► I wouldn’t mind (doing) something► would/do you mind ...?► mind!► mind how you go► never you mind► if you don’t mind my saying so/if you don’t mind me asking► I don’t mind admitting/telling you/saying etc► don’t mind her/him etc► mind your manners/language/p’s and q’sPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► my mind’s a blank► blow somebody’s mind► the/your mind boggles,► mind/brain candy► be etched on/in your memory/mind► a fevered imagination/mind/brain► nothing could be/is further from somebody’s mind/thoughts► the hearts and minds of somebody► an inquiring mind► literal-minded► a nimble mind/brain/wit► pollute somebody’s mind► push something out of your mind► stick out to somebody/stick out in somebody’s mind► time out of mind
- "Hey, Debbie?" "What?" "Uh, never mind."
- "How do you know so much about Jake anyway?" "Never mind that!"
- "I forgot your books." "Oh, never mind, I'll get them another time."
- "I was already planning to have chicken tonight." "Oh, never mind, it was just an idea."
- "Please forgive me for losing your book." "Oh, never mind. I have another copy."
- "What did you say?" "Oh, never mind."
- He was ashamed to tell his family, never mind a stranger.
- I'll take it, never mind the cost!
- I need to get Miriam's number from Steve... oh, here it is, never mind.
- I want this wedding to be perfect, never mind the cost.
- Never mind that it's late. I need to talk to you now.
- Never mind the dishes - I'll do them later.
- Never mind what Jalal says, Peter is a trusted member of our community.
- Oh, Dad, never mind, Cheryl's got them.
- This is food at its best. Never mind that the service still needs work.
- And never mind if some of them did not see a single golf-ball struck.
- Assets exceeded debts, but never mind.
- But never mind, the starlets of Hollywood, sorry, Hollyswamp aren't too far away.
- He never minded hard work, but it was his hammer that was his calling.
- I never minded when she would get sick and keep us up at night.
- Not worth investigating, never mind going to the lengths of deadly sabotage.
- They don't even have a pub there, never mind a decent curry house.
- You never minded taking a risk, and, of course, that's what it is.
- It wasn't excellent, mind you, but it was a definite improvement.
- Alice Caldwell obviously had not clarified in her own mind what she wanted her memo to accomplish.
- All-natural, healthy pills, mind you.
- But in my own mind I could like verbalize it either way.
- I think that in your mind you should not be second to anyone.
- In his mind he ran over his plan.
- Not what words did Madison and Hamilton use, but what was it in their minds which they conveyed?
- With one part of her bemused and disorientated mind she knew that she must call a halt - right now!
- A simple majority, mind you!
- In his mind he ran over his plan.
- In its mind it was convinced that the vet had returned to hurt it again.
- In my mind I heard the phone ringing.
- In our minds we may recreate a vanished dignity and grace.
- Never mind it was a wonderful evening.
- Not when you have them in your home, mind you.
- The ducks don't seem to mind it, cos there's quite a few swimming about now.
- Do you mind! I just washed that floor!
- I'm going to close the window, if you don't mind.
- I don't mind driving if you're tired.
- If you don't mind waiting a few minutes, we can check our records for you.
- San Diego's nice, I wouldn't mind living there.
- He did not mind being flippant about New York, but disliked to hear any one else take the same tone.
- He might not mind being placeless, but I mind.
- It had been worse than she had expected, but she had not minded it.
- It was remarkable the way people sought her out, often not minding that their conversation was public.
- Just as long, that is, as the masses do not mind interminable delays.
- The girls were late at breakfast, but Mrs Roberts did not mind.
- The world was giving to him, he did not mind giving back.
- Oh, don't mind me, I was just thinking out loud.
- "Would you like another piece of cake?" "Thanks - don't mind if I do."
- Carrie had been minding the shop.
- Emily and Maudie can mind the shop quite well without me, so I can look after Josh and the boys.
- I have to mind the shop here.
- He did not mind being flippant about New York, but disliked to hear any one else take the same tone.
- He might not mind being placeless, but I mind.
- It had been worse than she had expected, but she had not minded it.
- It was remarkable the way people sought her out, often not minding that their conversation was public.
- Just as long, that is, as the masses do not mind interminable delays.
- The girls were late at breakfast, but Mrs Roberts did not mind.
- The world was giving to him, he did not mind giving back.
- I wish you'd stop interfering and mind your own business.
- Folks in Montana tend to value their privacy, to the point that minding your own business is considered a virtue.
- He also fired his lawyer and told civil libertarians to mind their own business.
- He had not minded his own business as a man of seventy in New York should do.
- His life had been well-ordered and reasonably happy, he thought, by minding his own business.
- I asked her if he'd returned home and she told me to mind my own business.
- I was minding my own business, sleeping, when I heard something.
- She hoped he didn't interpret them as telling him to mind his own business.
- Then I felt a fool and decided to leave it and mind my own business.
- I was minding my own business, sleeping, when I heard something.
- It's a bit disconcerting to be minding your own business.
- I was hurt that she'd left, but I guess at the back of my mind I always knew she would.
- There was always a slight feeling of fear at the back of his mind.
- Thanks, I'll bear that in mind.
- Tourists must bear in mind that they are visitors in another country.
- I said I would bear his suggestion in mind.
- If he had ... no conclusions yet, just bear it in mind.
- It is important that we bear these differences in mind when we attempt to analyse the formal nature of public sector organisations.
- Mr. Clarke Any intelligent parent, intelligent governor or intelligent newspaper person will bear it in mind that various factors influence results.
- My right hon. Friend should bear that in mind.
- The Prime Minister I will certainly bear that in mind.
- The problem is largely an insuperable one, and all we can do at this stage is to bear it in mind.
- Thus, firms entering overseas markets must bear this in mind when introducing new products or services.
- But Mrs Totteridge was clearly bending her mind to other things.
- I was just walking along, minding my own business, when this guy ran straight into me.
- Can you call to mind when you last saw her?
- Fresno and Modesto are cities that call to mind the words "hot" and "dry."
- The amount of knowledge Lee carries in her head is amazing.
- He must remember the word and carry it in his head for some time, and so is writing from an image.
- Cast you mind back a few weeks to the Athletics Championship in Armagh.
- He frowned, casting his mind back over the conversation they had held.
- Henry cast his mind back to the fateful evening.
- Lisa, if you cast your mind back, I think you'll recall that it was your idea.
- Again, more in control of matters, he cast his mind back.
- He cast his mind back to his homecoming earlier that evening.
- He racked his brains, he cast his mind back.
- I cast my mind back to our excited departure from Gatwick airport.
- Let us cast our minds back to the referendum.
- Interpreting the stories depends on the reader's own cast of mind.
- But does he have the right cast of mind for a post-cold-war world now in its second decade?
- It became a cast of mind, a framework for existence.
- It was rooted in a cast of mind raised to an ethic in the professions.
- Moreover, it raises an interesting question about the cast of mind of the government as a whole as it seeks re-election.
- Nor, if we are in civilised cast of mind, because we wish to become drunk.
- This cast of mind is easily recognizable as the outlook of the traditional ruling class.
- This cast of mind survived for decades.
- At first the doctor said I was suffering from a virus, but now he's changed his mind.
- Barry hadn't changed his mind about leaving.
- Everyone has a right to change their mind.
- I'm hoping Dad will change his mind about Louise after he meets her tonight.
- I've changed my mind about the Riviera. I do like it after all.
- If you change your mind about the job, just give me a call.
- No, I'm not going out tonight. I've changed my mind.
- Use a pencil so you can erase it if you change your mind.
- What if she changes her mind and doesn't turn up?
- But if students actively dislike school, higher standards and better assessments are not going to change their minds.
- But why Zeus changed his mind and whether Prometheus revealed the secret when he was freed, we do not know.
- Carruthers, I don't know what will happen now, but I have changed my mind.
- Good software gives you the power to change your mind.
- He knew what he had to do and he got up and did it before he changed his mind.
- Pete lifted his knight but changed his mind and put it back on the board.
- Schlesinger first thought him wrong for Ratso, but changed his mind when they met in New York.
- When he met Lee the next morning at nine, he said he had changed his mind about going back.
- I go for a long walk at lunchtime to clear my head.
- Gao Yang recalled that the wall barely cleared his head at the time.
- He leaned against the wall desperately trying to clear his mind but the memory proved elusive.
- He wants a few days to clear his head.
- His meeting with the Holtzes seemed to have refreshed Alvin and cleared his mind.
- If not, the cold would clear his head.
- She cleared her head of Rory, all that nonsense.
- She needed the hot draught of caffeine to clear her head.
- So, clear your mind, get out your No. 2 pencils and do your best: 1.
- Academic interpretations held off the shame for a while, but then he could no longer close his mind to it.
- Bambi's closed her mind to it.
- He could tell by her eyes that she had closed her mind to him.
- I closed my ears and tried to close my mind to what was happening.
- Memories of her grandmother's judgements obtruded themselves and she closed her mind against them.
- She had immediately closed her mind to all thought, not even realising how tightly she had been gripping fitzAlan's hand.
- She stretched out on the bed, closing her mind to the sounds and waited.
- Equally the Tender concentrates the mind wonderfully in a way that a final offer by letter from the insurer can not.
- It concentrates the mind better than anything I know.
- "It never crossed my mind to give up," he said. "It became an obsession."
- "Why didn't you call me?" "The thought did cross my mind while I was shopping this afternoon, but then I forgot all about it.
- It crossed my mind that I was the only female coach on the committee, but that made me more determined than ever.
- Several times it had crossed his mind to check on the car, but he never actually did it.
- Knowing that he's getting good medical care does ease my mind.
- The date was engraved on his heart.
- Even now no-one seems quite certain whether this was a fact, a half-fact or the product of a fertile imagination.
- He is said to have been convivial, widely knowledgeable, with a fertile imagination and a whimsical sense of humour.
- I gulped, and fixed my eyes on the blood-red pen on the desk.
- She fixed her eyes on Mr Hollins's face and waited for his answer.
- She fixed her eyes on the jagged line of rocks to which she had to climb.
- She fixed her eyes on the street in an attempt to calm herself.
- She couldn't turn round so she fixed her eyes on her two brothers on the altar.
- Each time I see one of these cocoons hanging from a tree, all of these marvels flash through my mind.
- Her body seemed determined to ignore the danger signals now at last flashing through her brain.
- It flashed through my mind that I was close.
- The image of the guard in his elaborate flowering prison flashes through her head.
- The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.
- The only idea that flashed through my head was that some one had broken into the house and was attacking Master Yehudi.
- The past twenty-two months flashed through my mind like film run at high speed, and suddenly I felt rather tired.
- This was staggering new information, and all kinds of ideas were flashing through our minds.
- The risks of a court case also have to be in the forefront of your mind.
- This meant that fund-raising news and any other news about the deaf was in the forefront of everyone's attention.
- Great visions are the signs of great minds and there were few greater visions than those of Newton and Einstein.
- Alas, there is no space to give a proper account of the thoughts of these great minds.
- Some of the confusion would certainly have been lessened if the two great minds had had opportunities to exchange ideas.
- That presents no danger if our great minds are in Paris or London or the United States.
- The excitement of the intellectual revolution produced some great minds and some important discoveries.
- And such habits of mind survive the passage of time.
- But a habit of mind, something much more important, will stay with young people.
- Has this become a habit of mind?
- If views are similar it's because habits of thought are the same.
- The care of the interior demands an obsessive habit of mind.
- These habits of thought and action enable a business or work group to take full credit for the triumphs it achieves.
- This was his habit of mind.
- What habits of thought could matter more?
- I have half a mind to just go home.
- I have half a mind to tell her what I really think of her.
- I have half a mind to make you take this right back.
- I'm in my mid-thirties and ought to know my own mind by now, but I'm scared of getting married.
- Though not yet 15, Sara knows her own mind, and has already decided on a career.
- All of which suggests a person who knows his own mind and makes his own decisions.
- He hardly knew his own mind, they said candidly among their own intimates.
- People often didn't know their own minds.
- Shirley giggled and said I was a woman who knew her own mind, wasn't I, Jim?
- You don't know your own mind.
- What are you doing on the roof? Have you lost your mind?
- Either she was losing her mind, or she'd followed the wrong man.
- Is Roberto correct when he insists that he is innocent and she has lost her mind?
- Obviously she was losing her mind.
- PipThe Negro cabin boy who loses his mind when abandoned temporarily in the sea.
- Some victims feel they are losing their minds or are about to die.
- The musicians are completely losing their minds.
- There came a day shortly afterwards when I could no longer ignore the fact that he was losing his mind.
- What is not bogus is the position Selda Soyturk is in today because a guy lost his mind behind the wheel.
- I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, I have a lot on my mind at the moment.
- Since the divorce, Linda's had a lot on her mind.
- Stacy didn't go to the party on Saturday because she had a lot on her mind.
- Also there would be no meeting of minds in such a procedure.
- But scriptwriter and narrator Indra Sinha said the video emphasised the meeting of minds as well as bodies.
- He says that he hopes that there will be a meeting of minds on how to deal with traffic problems.
- Only if I used the example of all mankind's progress towards Paradise was there any meeting of minds.
- There was just no meeting of minds on the weapons issue.
- There was no trust between them, no meeting of minds.
- Why such a strange meeting of minds?
- While she waited, she tried to occupy her mind with pleasant thoughts of the vacation.
- That guy has a one-track mind.
- And later she was going to try to get herself to that meeting with an open mind.
- Before he resolves a problem, he keeps an open mind on how that problem might be resolved.
- But officially as least the police are still keeping an open mind.
- He insists he has an open mind on the players he wants to keep.
- In interviews after their inaugural meeting last Thursday, all vowed to keep an open mind on whoever comes before the panel.
- Police say they're keeping an open mind.
- Until the Profitboss makes a decision, he keeps an open mind as to what that decision might be.
- While keeping an open mind, most archaeologists remain extremely doubtful.
- As the days go by open your mind to what is going on around you - what are other people's goals?
- He opened his mind to the sounds of the city.
- If you open your mind, then you see it really does have feeling.
- Television is a powerful force to bring people together to entertain, to educate, to open our minds and hearts.
- The overall influence of Seattle opened his mind on a few things.
- Very soon the research opened my mind to more subtle ideas.
- We are duty-bound to search, question, open our minds.
- We must break down the barriers of conditioning and open our minds to far higher goals.
- I was so mad that I called back and gave her a piece of my mind.
- If one of the kids is being sassy, Inez gives them a piece of her mind.
- Boy, am I going to give him a piece of my mind when I see him.
- But it was worth it, to give Hilda Machin a piece of her mind.
- I begin to pronounce the sequence of words and numbers that will prevent her from giving him a piece of her mind.
- Ready to give somebody a piece of her mind, Aunt Pat strode to the front door and flung it open.
- She'd give Gloria a piece of her mind when she got home!
- She managed to manoeuvre into the remaining space and got out to give somebody a piece of her mind.
- Their conversation had planted doubts in Dennis' mind about the partnership.
- A line from an old drinking song popped into his head.
- And Arnie was the first lie that popped into her head.
- Funny, the sort of things which popped into your head.
- List these assets and liabilities at random as they pop into your mind or as they are suggested to you by others.
- Whenever the question of whether or not she needed him popped into her head, Constance conveniently ducked it.
- But his main preoccupation was with the unfinished Requiem, which had begun to prey on his mind.
- Important items which are left have a habit of preying on the mind.
- It began to prey on my mind so much that I went to the casualty department of Charing Cross Hospital.
- It was Tatiana preying on his mind.
- Don't expect your spouse to be able to read your mind.
- But let me set your mind at rest.
- But she'd like to see him, to try and set her mind at rest.
- He's been very kind to me and Lily, as regards putting our minds at rest about Stella.
- He's unlikely to know how you feel, and until he does, he can't put your mind at rest.
- He must set their minds at rest about the Freddie affair, because they knew of Freddie.
- I wish I could put their minds at rest.
- It puts my mind at rest.
- Quite often, all that is required is a friendly chat to put your mind at rest.
- But where there are sellers there are buyers, and it was this latter rare species we had set our sights on.
- Gazing intently into her computer screen, Christine Montgomery has set her sights on the next generation of electronic language translators.
- He knew he was bound to pull any girl he set his mind on - he always had.
- Heath had set her sights on the U. S. Senate seat from Colorado.
- Her youth and beauty elicited a predictable reaction from my father, who set his sights on her at once.
- Sofa Head's greatest asset is the realisation that you don't have to set your sights on one target.
- Wagner set his sights on a degree in electrical engineering, and he followed his star with a fervid intensity.
- Yes, she thought, if Tamar had set her mind on something she would never rest until it was accomplished.
- I tucked it in the back of a drawer, figuring out of sight, out of mind.
- He had seemed thrown for a moment, as though it had genuinely slipped his mind that he was about to be married.
- I can't believe it has slipped my mind.
- It slipped my mind because of the tragedy that followed.
- It completely slipped my mind I was going to be accused of theft!
- It had slipped his mind entirely that today.
- Jean hadn't even asked Helen what she had said; the entire episode had slipped her mind.
- Yes, that had slipped her mind.
- You think something as important as that would slip my mind?
- Larry isn't afraid to speak his mind, even in front of the boss.
- Sam has never been shy about speaking his mind.
- She's very direct and believes in speaking her mind.
- She believes in speaking her mind, which makes her very unpopular.
- We thought that the process of filming might stop people from speaking their minds.
- Dean Shearer was a man of compassion, humility and integrity who was never afraid to speak his mind.
- Even if they disagree sometimes with what he says, they like a candidate who speaks his mind.
- He dawdled, afraid to say no or resist her or speak his mind.
- Nizan generally spoke his mind and refused to pull his punches.
- The company insists Vinik spoke his mind at the time comments were made and he simply changed his opinions.
- What does one say in a culture that hesitates to speak its mind?
- With Freemantle Leapor could easily speak her mind; to have the same confidence with new readers would take time.
- Dell and Elonex immediately spring to mind.
- Faded was the word that sprang to mind - everything had a rather tired quality about it.
- If we think of the ways in which the term research is used, a variety of activities spring to mind.
- Impressive was the first word that sprang to mind.
- Noble was the word which sprang to Amabel's mind.
- Some comic examples spring to mind.
- That written, qualifications immediately spring to mind.
- My uncle told me the story when I was little, and it's always stuck in my mind.
- But it stuck in my mind.
- I think those types of things stick in children's minds, so I didn't want her there.
- It is not surprising that phrases do not stick in the mind.
- It must have stuck in her mind, that an honest person might act out of character when severely threatened.
- One incident that has always stuck in my mind was when I dove for my foxhole at the opening mortar round.
- Perhaps the image is just so startling that it sticks in our minds.
- The whole weekend had been unsettling, which was perhaps why the game had stuck in her mind.
- Yet the one small doubt stuck in her mind like a burr in tweed.
- Henry had a tidy mind, and he was practical.
- He is a very intelligent man with a scientific turn of mind.
- Certainly there were Gallo-Romans of an independent turn of mind in the south.
- She was a plain girl, with straight hair and thin limbs and a mathematical turn of mind.
- Very often students' inventive turn of mind can be useful at such formats, and they will largely be absent.
- As ever, he was in two minds about Clarac's value to the project.
- Do you know, he was in two minds about accepting?
- For a second he was in two minds about it.
- I am in two minds whether to change the engine or repair it.
- In her own cottage a few miles away the witch Agnes Nitt was in two minds about her new pointy hat.
- Please be warned: they are capable of getting through that gap which you are in two minds about bothering to block.
- They were not to be in two minds.
- This time she seemed to be in two minds about what to do.
- Succeeding in her career was uppermost in her mind.
- In fact, financial problems may not be uppermost in her mind.
- In fact, they brought up the question before I could do so because it was uppermost in their minds.
- It was only natural that that thought should be uppermost in her mind.
- Nor was there the slightest need to tell her of the thoughts that were uppermost in his mind.
- She was certain, however, that it was not the weather that was uppermost in his mind.
- Still, the aspect of that news which affected himself was uppermost in his mind, threatening to swamp such minor worries.
- The one which was uppermost in her mind was Maurin.
- Two thoughts were uppermost in my mind.
- My mind is wandering, as Isabel has said, I forget things.
- Paul finds his mind is wandering, thinking about the poll tax program again.
- And when he had done with her, she could wipe him from her mind, obliterate him.
- He cared nothing for his wife and daughter and they must wipe him from their minds.
WORD FAMILYnounmindminderreminderadjectivemindlessmindedmindfulverbmindremindadverbmindlessly
1feel annoyed [intransitive, transitive usually in questions and negatives] to feel annoyed or upset about something: 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.RegisterThe 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?2not mind doing something to be willing to do something: I don’t mind waiting a little longer.GRAMMAR Don’t say: I don’t mind to wait a little longer.3not care which one not mind [intransitive, transitive] 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.4mind 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.5be 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 PHRASES6never 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.’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.7I 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!8would/do you mind ...? a)used to politely ask someone’s permissionwould 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 somethingwould 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 somethingwould you mind doing something? Would you mind telling me what you’re doing in here? Would you mind shutting up for a minute?9mind 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.10warning 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!11mind how you go British English used when saying goodbye to someone, to tell them to take care12mind you do something British English used to tell someone to do something: Mind you behave yourself.13never 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.’14do 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!15if 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.’16if 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?17I 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.18don’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!19don’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 you21take 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.22mind 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 there23mind 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.24obey [transitive] American English to obey someone’s instructions or advice: Some dogs will mind instructions better than others.GRAMMARUsing the progressive• In most of its meanings, mind is not used in the progressive.• One common exception is the expression be minding your own business (sense 5).• Mind can also be used in the progressive when it means ‘take care of’ (senses 21 and 22): · I’m just minding the shop while she’s having lunch.Using the passive• In most of its meanings, mind is not used in the passive.• Mind can only be used in the passive when it means ‘take care of’ (senses 21 and 22): · The children are being minded by a neighbour.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.