Our mind helps us think, learn, and understand the world around us. Sometimes, people use special phrases called idioms to talk about the mind. Idioms are groups of words that mean something different from their usual meaning. They make talking about feelings, thoughts, and ideas more fun and interesting.
In this article, you will learn about many idioms that are related to the mind. These idioms help us describe how we feel, how we think, or how smart we are. Knowing these phrases can make it easier to understand stories and talk with others. Let’s explore these cool idioms about the mind and see how people use them every day.
Idioms about Mind
1. Hear it on the grapevine
Meaning: To hear news from someone else, not directly.
Samples: I heard on the grapevine that our school might have a new playground. / She heard it on the grapevine that there will be a surprise test.
To Put it Another Way: I got the news from friends. / Someone told me, but not straight from the teacher.
2. In one ear and out the other
Meaning: When someone does not pay attention and quickly forgets what they hear.
Samples: Mom told me to clean my room, but it went in one ear and out the other. / The instructions went in one ear and out the other during class.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t really listen. / I forgot what I was told quickly.
3. Bend someone’s ear
Meaning: To talk to someone for a long time, usually about a problem.
Samples: I bent my friend’s ear about my homework. / She bent her teacher’s ear asking for help.
To Put it Another Way: I talked to them a lot. / I told them all my worries.
4. Play it by ear
Meaning: To decide what to do as things happen, without a plan.
Samples: We didn’t plan the trip well, so we played it by ear. / Let’s play it by ear and see how the game goes.
To Put it Another Way: We made decisions as we went. / We didn’t have a set plan.
5. Rack your brain
Meaning: To think very hard about something.
Samples: I racked my brain to remember the answer. / She racked her brain trying to solve the puzzle.
To Put it Another Way: I thought a lot. / I tried very hard to remember.
6. Blow someone’s mind
Meaning: To surprise or amaze someone.
Samples: The magic trick blew my mind. / That movie really blew her mind!
To Put it Another Way: It shocked me in a good way. / It was so surprising.
7. Mind your own business
Meaning: To focus on your own things and not worry about others.
Samples: He told me to mind my own business when I asked about his project. / Mom said to mind my own business and do my homework.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t get involved in others’ matters. / Take care of your own things.
8. Out of sight, out of mind
Meaning: If you don’t see something, you forget about it.
Samples: After summer break, my old toys were out of sight, out of mind. / When my friend moved away, it was out of sight, out of mind.
To Put it Another Way: If it’s gone, you forget it. / Not seeing it makes you forget.
9. Keep an open mind
Meaning: To be willing to consider new ideas.
Samples: I kept an open mind about the new rules. / She kept an open mind when trying the new food.
To Put it Another Way: I was ready to try new things. / I didn’t say no right away.
10. Food for thought
Meaning: Something to think about carefully.
Samples: That story gave me food for thought. / The teacher’s question was food for thought.
To Put it Another Way: It made me think a lot. / It gave me ideas to think about.
11. Slip your mind
Meaning: To forget something.
Samples: I was supposed to bring my book but it slipped my mind. / The birthday party slipped my mind completely.
To Put it Another Way: I forgot about it. / It left my memory.
12. On your mind
Meaning: Something you are thinking about a lot.
Samples: My test is always on my mind. / She has her pet’s health on her mind.
To Put it Another Way: I keep thinking about it. / It’s in my thoughts.
13. Speak your mind
Meaning: To say what you really think.
Samples: He always speaks his mind in class. / I spoke my mind about the team rules.
To Put it Another Way: I said what I felt. / I shared my true thoughts.
14. Lose your mind
Meaning: To become very confused or upset.
Samples: I almost lost my mind trying to fix the computer. / She lost her mind when she couldn’t find her keys.
To Put it Another Way: I got very upset or confused. / I felt like I couldn’t think clearly.
15. Put your mind to it
Meaning: To work hard on something if you really try.
Samples: If you put your mind to it, you can learn to swim. / He put his mind to it and finished the project early.
To Put it Another Way: If you try hard, you can do it. / Focus and work hard.
16. Bear in mind
Meaning: To remember or think about something.
Samples: Bear in mind that the test is tomorrow. / Bear in mind the rules during the game.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t forget. / Keep it in your thoughts.
17. Change your mind
Meaning: To decide something different than before.
Samples: I changed my mind and went to the park instead of the movies. / She changed her mind about joining the team.
To Put it Another Way: I made a new choice. / I decided differently.
18. Cross your mind
Meaning: To suddenly think of something.
Samples: It crossed my mind to ask for help. / The idea crossed her mind during class.
To Put it Another Way: I thought about it quickly. / The idea came to me.
19. Have a mind of your own
Meaning: To think or act independently.
Samples: She has a mind of her own and makes her own decisions. / He always wants to do things his way because he has a mind of his own.
To Put it Another Way: You think for yourself. / You decide on your own.
20. Keep your mind off something
Meaning: To avoid thinking about something unpleasant.
Samples: I played games to keep my mind off the bad news. / She read a book to keep her mind off the headache.
To Put it Another Way: I stopped thinking about it. / I distracted myself.
21. Make up your mind
Meaning: To decide what you want to do.
Samples: I can’t make up my mind about which game to play. / She made up her mind to join the soccer team.
To Put it Another Way: Choose what to do. / Decide what you want.
22. Out of your mind
Meaning: To be crazy or very silly.
Samples: That idea is out of your mind! / He was out of his mind with excitement.
To Put it Another Way: That’s crazy. / You’re acting very silly.
23. Have something on your mind
Meaning: To be worried or thinking about something.
Samples: She had something on her mind before the test. / I had a lot on my mind about the big game.
To Put it Another Way: I was worried or thinking a lot. / Something was bothering me.
24. Mind over matter
Meaning: Using willpower to overcome problems.
Samples: I told myself to keep going — it was mind over matter. / It was hard, but mind over matter helped me finish.
To Put it Another Way: I used my brain to beat the problem. / I didn’t give up because of my will.
25. Speak your mind
Meaning: To say what you really think.
Samples: He always speaks his mind. / I told my teacher how I felt by speaking my mind.
To Put it Another Way: Say what you think. / Share your true feelings.
26. Have a lot on your mind
Meaning: To be very busy thinking or worrying about many things.
Samples: She has a lot on her mind with school and sports. / I had a lot on my mind before the big test.
To Put it Another Way: Thinking about many things. / Worried or busy in your thoughts.
27. Lose your train of thought
Meaning: To forget what you were thinking or saying.
Samples: I lost my train of thought during the presentation. / She lost her train of thought in the middle of her story.
To Put it Another Way: I forgot what I was saying. / My mind stopped working for a moment.
28. Slip your mind
Meaning: To forget something.
Samples: I forgot to do my homework; it just slipped my mind. / The appointment slipped my mind completely.
To Put it Another Way: I forgot it. / It left my memory.
29. Change of mind
Meaning: A new decision or thought.
Samples: After thinking, I had a change of mind about going to the party. / She had a change of mind and chose the blue shirt.
To Put it Another Way: A new idea. / A new choice.
30. Mind your manners
Meaning: To behave politely.
Samples: Mom told me to mind my manners at the dinner table. / We should mind our manners when guests come.
To Put it Another Way: Be polite. / Act nicely.
Find the Topics: Idioms about Mind
Last week at school, our class was full of surprises. I heard it on the grapevine that the principal was planning a fun event. At first, I tried to pay attention, but the news went in one ear and out the other because I was daydreaming. Later, I bent my teacher’s ear about the homework—it was really hard!
During recess, we didn’t have a plan, so we decided to play it by ear and see what games everyone wanted to play. I racked my brain trying to remember the rules of the new game, but I kept forgetting because it slipped my mind.
Some friends kept talking about the surprise party, and it really blew my mind! I tried to keep an open mind about it. I also told myself to mind my own business when someone shared a secret.
Sometimes, ideas cross your mind when you least expect them. My friend said she has a mind of her own and likes to choose her own adventures. I told her to speak her mind and share what she thinks.
When I lost my train of thought during a story, I told myself to put my mind to it and focus. It’s good to keep your mind off worries and remember that mind over matter can help you through tough times.
Your Task:
Underline or list all the idioms about mind that you found in the story above.
Answer Key
- Hear it on the grapevine
- In one ear and out the other
- Bend someone’s ear
- Play it by ear
- Rack your brain
- Slip your mind
- Blow someone’s mind
- Keep an open mind
Conclusion
Idioms about the mind help us talk about thinking, feelings, and ideas in a fun way. They make stories and conversations more interesting and easier to understand. By learning these phrases, you can express yourself better and notice how others use them too. Remember, whether you are trying to rack your brain or keep an open mind, these idioms are useful tools for talking about what goes on inside your head.
