“A woman’s mind is cleaner than a man’s: she changes it more often.”
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The expression, “I don’t mind if I do” is typically British English that is used when you politely accept food or drink that is offered to you, for example, “Another slice of cake?”
Imagine I’ve offered you a “tray” of 12 idioms and you’ve politely accepted them. Well, that’s what I’m hoping – that you accept them!
The word “mind” has many uses in the English Language. It can be used as a noun and a verb. For more information take a look at Cambridge Dictionary here.
The word is also used idiomatically as outlined below. Let’s see how. I have added a couple of my own to give you 12 expressions in total.
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#1 Open-minded
Willing to consider ideas and opinions that are different to your own.
“Parents these days need to be a lot more open-minded if they are to have a more meaningful relationship with their teenagers.”
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#2 Narrow-minded
The opposite of the above, that is, you’re NOT willing to accept ideas or opinions that are different from your own.
“It is virtually impossible to make progress with such narrow-minded directors in this company.”
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#3 Have something/a lot on your mind
To be worried about something
A: Are you all right? You look tired.
B: I’ve had a lot on my mind recently and it’s keeping me awake at night.
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#4 Out of sight, out of mind
When you don’t see somebody/something for a long time, it’s easy to forget about it or him/her. (It’s a saying)
It’s important to have regular contact with someone, for, as the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind, and you wouldn’t want that, would you?
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#5 Mind your own business
This what you tell someone when you don’t want them to interfere in your affairs (It’s informal and can be used humorously or seriously depending on the situation so be careful how you use this)
A: Where have you been?
B: Mind your own business!
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#6 Be in two minds about something
To be undecided about something
I am in two minds about whether to go to the party on Saturday or not.
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#7 Make up your mind
To decide or make a decision
“We cannot wait any longer, you’re going to have to make up your mind about what you want to do.”
“Make up your mind! Do you want toast or cereal?”
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#8 Change your mind
Make a new decision or opinion from your old one.
“If you do change your mind about meeting, just give me a call.”
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#9 Bear something in mind
To remember a piece of information when making a decision
“When calculating the budget, you need to bear in mind the extra building costs.”
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#10 Never mind
An expression to say “it doesn’t matter” or it’s not important
A: Oh, I have run out of milk. I’ll go and get some.
B: Never mind, I’m happy to drink black coffee.
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#11 To be bored out your mind
Extremely bored
The meeting went on for hours. By the end of it, I was bored out of my mind.
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#12 Out of your mind
a) you’re unable to behave normally because something has made you worried, unhappy or angry
She nearly went out of her mind with worry when her daughter didn’t arrive home.I’d go out of my mind if I had to do her job.
b) extremely stupid or mentally ill (informal)
Are you out of your mind?! I’d never pay £500 for a ticket to watch Arsenal.
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So there you have it. Do you have similar expressions in your language?
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Ciao for now. I will be out of sight but hopefully not out of mind!
Shanthi
