Our minds help us think, remember, and learn. Sometimes, people use fun phrases to talk about how the mind works. These phrases are called idioms. They don’t always mean what the words say, but they make talking more fun and easy to understand.
In this article, we will look at some idioms about the mind. You might hear grown-ups use them when they talk about ideas, choices, or feelings. We will learn what they mean and how to use them in real life. Let’s begin with some easy examples.
Idioms about Mind
1. Blow your mind
Meaning: To surprise someone a lot.
To Provide an Example: The magic show will blow your mind. / That movie really blew my mind with all the colors.
Alternative Meaning: Something was so cool or different that you couldn’t believe it. / You are super amazed by what you saw.
2. Peace of mind
Meaning: Feeling calm and safe.
To Provide an Example: Mom locks the doors for peace of mind. / Wearing a helmet gives Dad peace of mind.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling okay and not worried. / Knowing everything is alright.
3. Keep in mind
Meaning: To remember something.
To Provide an Example: Keep in mind we have homework. / Keep in mind the game starts at 3.
Alternative Meaning: Don’t forget. / Hold that thought.
4. Make up your mind
Meaning: To decide something.
To Provide an Example: Make up your mind about ice cream flavor. / I can’t make up my mind between red or blue shoes.
Alternative Meaning: Pick one choice. / Stop changing your answer.
5. Out of sight, out of mind
Meaning: You forget something when it’s not near.
To Provide an Example: I forgot my toy until I saw it again. / The puzzle was out of sight, out of mind for a week.
Alternative Meaning: If you don’t see it, you don’t think about it. / Things go away in your brain when they’re not around.
6. Cross your mind
Meaning: To think about something quickly.
To Provide an Example: It crossed my mind to bring an umbrella. / Did it cross your mind to call Grandpa?
Alternative Meaning: A thought came to you. / You thought of something for a second.
7. Speak your mind
Meaning: Say how you feel.
To Provide an Example: She spoke her mind about the loud music. / I spoke my mind when I didn’t like the lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Say what you really think. / Tell the truth in a nice way.
8. Change your mind
Meaning: To pick something else.
To Provide an Example: I changed my mind and got pizza. / She changed her mind and wore a dress.
Alternative Meaning: Decide something new. / Pick another option.
9. In two minds
Meaning: Can’t decide between two things.
To Provide an Example: I was in two minds about the movie or the park. / He was in two minds about which toy to buy.
Alternative Meaning: You feel stuck choosing. / You want both but can’t have both.
10. Mind your manners
Meaning: Be polite and kind.
To Provide an Example: Mind your manners at Grandma’s house. / The teacher said to mind our manners during lunch.
Alternative Meaning: Say “please” and “thank you.” / Be on your best behavior.
11. Give someone a piece of your mind
Meaning: Tell someone how you really feel, usually when upset.
To Provide an Example: Dad gave the driver a piece of his mind. / She gave her brother a piece of her mind for breaking her toy.
Alternative Meaning: Talk firmly when someone does something wrong. / Say your true feelings, even if they’re strong.
12. Have a lot on your mind
Meaning: To be thinking about many things.
To Provide an Example: I had a lot on my mind before the test. / Mom has a lot on her mind when we are sick.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling busy in your head. / Worrying or thinking a lot.
13. Bear in mind
Meaning: Remember something important.
To Provide an Example: Bear in mind the store closes early. / Bear in mind we need to be quiet in the library.
Alternative Meaning: Think about this before doing something. / Keep it in your thoughts.
14. Mind went blank
Meaning: Forgot everything for a second.
To Provide an Example: My mind went blank during the spelling test. / His mind went blank when he forgot his line.
Alternative Meaning: You suddenly forget what to say or do. / Your brain freezes up for a moment.
15. Mind your own business
Meaning: Don’t get in other people’s problems.
To Provide an Example: I told my sister to mind her own business. / The boy said, “Mind your own business” when asked about his snack.
Alternative Meaning: Stay in your lane. / Don’t bother others about private stuff.
16. Be in your right mind
Meaning: Thinking clearly and acting normal.
To Provide an Example: No one in their right mind would eat that many jellybeans. / She wasn’t in her right mind when she jumped in the cold pool.
Alternative Meaning: Not thinking straight. / Doing silly or strange things.
17. Out of your mind
Meaning: Acting silly or strange.
To Provide an Example: Are you out of your mind for riding a bike in the rain? / He must be out of his mind to eat ten pickles.
Alternative Meaning: You’re being wild. / You’re not thinking clearly.
18. Read someone’s mind
Meaning: Know what someone is thinking.
To Provide an Example: You read my mind with that snack. / Mom read my mind when she brought my favorite cereal.
Alternative Meaning: Guess what someone wants. / Think the same thing without talking.
19. Have a one-track mind
Meaning: Only think about one thing.
To Provide an Example: He has a one-track mind about football. / She has a one-track mind when it comes to candy.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t stop thinking about just one thing. / Focused on one idea only.
20. Slip your mind
Meaning: Forget something.
To Provide an Example: It slipped my mind to bring my lunch. / Her homework slipped her mind last night.
Alternative Meaning: You meant to do it but forgot. / It just didn’t stay in your memory.
21. Mind your head
Meaning: Be careful not to bump your head.
To Provide an Example: Mind your head when you get in the car. / Dad said, “Mind your head,” near the low ceiling.
Alternative Meaning: Watch out for your head. / Don’t hit your head by accident.
22. Keep an open mind
Meaning: Be ready to hear new ideas.
To Provide an Example: Keep an open mind about trying new food. / She kept an open mind when learning about turtles.
Alternative Meaning: Don’t say no too fast. / Be okay with trying or learning.
23. Mind your own beeswax
Meaning: A funny way to say “mind your own business.”
To Provide an Example: “Mind your own beeswax,” I told my brother. / The girl said, “Mind your own beeswax,” during snack time.
Alternative Meaning: Stay out of other people’s things. / Don’t be nosy.
24. Have something in mind
Meaning: Already thinking about a choice or idea.
To Provide an Example: I had a fun game in mind for recess. / He had lunch in mind before school even started.
Alternative Meaning: Thinking of something before saying it. / You know what you want to do.
25. Frame of mind
Meaning: The way someone feels.
To Provide an Example: I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to do homework. / She was in a happy frame of mind after the party.
Alternative Meaning: The mood you’re in. / Your feelings at that time.
26. Know your own mind
Meaning: You know what you want.
To Provide an Example: She knows her own mind and picks her clothes. / He knows his own mind when choosing snacks.
Alternative Meaning: You make your own choices. / You are sure about what you think.
27. Go out of your mind
Meaning: Feel very worried or upset.
To Provide an Example: Mom went out of her mind when the dog ran away. / He went out of his mind when he lost his backpack.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling scared or super nervous. / Too many big feelings at once.
28. Mind games
Meaning: Tricks to confuse someone.
To Provide an Example: He played mind games by hiding my shoe. / She used mind games to win the puzzle race.
Alternative Meaning: Playing tricks with words or actions. / Trying to mess with someone’s thoughts.
29. A mind of its own
Meaning: Something acts by itself.
To Provide an Example: My toy car has a mind of its own. / The shopping cart had a mind of its own in the parking lot.
Alternative Meaning: It didn’t follow your plan. / It moved or worked by surprise.
30. Open mind, open heart
Meaning: Be kind and ready to learn.
To Provide an Example: She showed an open mind and open heart to the new kid. / Having an open mind and open heart helps make friends.
Alternative Meaning: Be friendly and curious. / Care about others and their ideas.
31. Wrap your mind around it
Meaning: Try hard to understand something.
To Provide an Example: I had to wrap my mind around the big math word. / She tried to wrap her mind around how a plane flies.
Alternative Meaning: It takes time to get it. / You’re working to understand.
32. A wandering mind
Meaning: Not staying focused.
To Provide an Example: My wandering mind made me forget the story. / His mind wandered during the spelling test.
Alternative Meaning: You’re thinking about other stuff. / Your brain keeps drifting.
33. Sharp mind
Meaning: A smart way of thinking.
To Provide an Example: She has a sharp mind for puzzles. / Grandpa has a sharp mind even at his age.
Alternative Meaning: You catch on fast. / Your brain works well.
34. Dull mind
Meaning: Slow thinking or not very alert.
To Provide an Example: A dull mind makes reading hard. / His dull mind couldn’t keep up in the game.
Alternative Meaning: You’re tired or bored. / Not thinking clearly.
35. Put your mind to it
Meaning: Work hard to do something.
To Provide an Example: If you put your mind to it, you can finish that puzzle. / She put her mind to drawing and made a great picture.
Alternative Meaning: Try your best. / Focus and keep going.
36. Take your mind off it
Meaning: Stop thinking about something for a while.
To Provide an Example: Watching cartoons took my mind off the test. / Playing outside helped take his mind off the doctor visit.
Alternative Meaning: Do something fun to feel better. / Rest from the worry.
37. Weigh on your mind
Meaning: A thought that feels heavy or hard.
To Provide an Example: Her lost homework weighed on her mind all day. / It weighed on his mind that he didn’t say sorry.
Alternative Meaning: You feel bad about something. / You can’t stop thinking about it.
38. Mind over matter
Meaning: Use your brain to stay strong.
To Provide an Example: It was cold, but she used mind over matter to finish the race. / He used mind over matter when he was scared of the dark.
Alternative Meaning: Think strong, feel strong. / Your brain helps you keep going.
39. Lose your mind
Meaning: Feel out of control or act silly.
To Provide an Example: He lost his mind when his team won. / Mom looked like she’d lose her mind with all the noise.
Alternative Meaning: Too much excitement or stress. / Acting wild.
40. Keep your mind on it
Meaning: Stay focused.
To Provide an Example: Keep your mind on the game so you don’t miss. / I kept my mind on the book to finish reading.
Alternative Meaning: Don’t let your thoughts wander. / Pay attention.
41. Your mind is set
Meaning: You made a strong decision.
To Provide an Example: My mind is set on bringing my red lunchbox. / Her mind is set on joining the soccer team.
Alternative Meaning: You’re not going to change your mind. / You’ve already picked.
42. Have a mind like a sponge
Meaning: Learn things quickly.
To Provide an Example: He has a mind like a sponge and remembers all the facts. / She learns fast because her mind is like a sponge.
Alternative Meaning: Your brain soaks up knowledge. / You remember things easily.
43. Keep your mind sharp
Meaning: Practice thinking and learning.
To Provide an Example: Reading books keeps your mind sharp. / She plays brain games to keep her mind sharp.
Alternative Meaning: Stay smart. / Use your brain every day.
44. Mind your language
Meaning: Watch the words you use.
To Provide an Example: The teacher said, “Mind your language in class.” / Mom reminded him to mind his language at dinner.
Alternative Meaning: Don’t use rude or mean words. / Speak nicely.
45. Mind the gap
Meaning: Watch out for space between things.
To Provide an Example: Mind the gap when getting on the train. / She told her brother to mind the gap between the steps.
Alternative Meaning: Be careful where you walk. / Don’t trip.
46. Be in a good frame of mind
Meaning: Feel happy or calm.
To Provide an Example: I was in a good frame of mind after nap time. / He was in a good frame of mind before the party.
Alternative Meaning: You feel ready and okay. / You’re in a happy mood.
47. A meeting of the minds
Meaning: People agree with each other.
To Provide an Example: It was a meeting of the minds when we picked the same game. / Dad and I had a meeting of the minds on pizza night.
Alternative Meaning: Everyone agrees. / Same ideas, same plan.
48. Put it out of your mind
Meaning: Try not to think about it anymore.
To Provide an Example: I put the mistake out of my mind and kept playing. / She put the bad dream out of her mind.
Alternative Meaning: Let it go. / Stop worrying.
49. Have a big imagination
Meaning: Think of lots of creative ideas.
To Provide an Example: He has a big imagination and draws wild animals. / Her big imagination helps her make up stories.
Alternative Meaning: You think in fun and new ways. / You come up with silly or cool ideas.
50. Be out of your right mind
Meaning: Doing something that doesn’t make sense.
To Provide an Example: He must be out of his right mind to wear shorts in snow. / You’re out of your right mind if you eat that hot pepper.
Alternative Meaning: Acting silly or not thinking. / Making strange choices.
Trials for Success: Idioms about Mind
- I forgot to do my homework because it just ______ my mind.
- Dad says to ______ my manners when we eat at a restaurant.
- I had to ______ my mind about what snack I wanted.
- Watching cartoons helped me ______ my mind off the dentist visit.
- That new roller coaster really ______ my mind it was so fast.
- Please ______ in mind that Grandma goes to bed early.
- I was so sleepy my ______ went blank during the spelling test.
- I had a lot on my ______ when my dog got sick.
- You can do it if you just ______ your mind to it.
- My little brother told me to ______ my own beeswax.
- I tried to ______ my mind around the new math rule.
- That silly video almost made me lose my ______.
- I didn’t mean to forget it just slipped my ______.
- Let’s try to keep an ______ mind when we try new food.
- She always speaks her ______, even when she’s nervous.
Answers
- slipped
- mind
- make up
- take
- blew
- keep
- mind
- mind
- put
- mind
- wrap
- mind
- mind
- open
- mind
Conclusion
Idioms about the mind help us talk about thoughts, feelings, and choices in fun ways. They use simple words, but the meaning is sometimes different from what it sounds like.
By learning these idioms, we can better share what’s going on in our heads. Now you can understand and use these phrases in school, at home, or with friends.
