All About "Mind" Part I

The noun "mind" is a complex word that has meanings related to your memory and the part of you that thinks. It means more than just your physical brain—it's also its contents and the way it works. The verb "to mind," on the other hand, can mean "to remember," "to remind," "to notice," "to care," and a number of other things depending upon the context.

There are a lot of rather odd phrases and idioms associate with "mind." Let's take a look at some of them today.

Do you mind if we listen to some music?

Caption 30, The Late Late Show with James Corden: Jennifer Lopez Carpool Karaoke

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This "to mind" means "do you care," in the sense of "will it bother you?" If it doesn't bother you, the usual response is:

I don't mind.

Caption 51, Between Two Women: The Movie

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But if it bothers you, you can say "I do mind," with emphasis on the "do." Of course, it's usually polite to explain why you object.

Pieces of peace in the sun's peace of mind.

Caption 3, Twenty One Pilots: Ride

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That's a lot of words that sound the same in one line of a song lyric! The phrase "peace of mind" means to feel calm, safe, and protected: without worries.

Miley Cyrus gives a photographer a piece of her mind.

Caption 2, The Pop Topic Minute: Kate Winslet and Miley Cyrus

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If somebody gives someone "a piece of their mind," it means they are angry and let them know in no uncertain terms.

It's there, but it's out of sight, out of mind.

Caption 15, Essential vocabulary with Sigrid: Delay delay delay

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The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" means that if something that is bothering you isn't immediately in front of you, you worry about it less.

I love the dark handsome guys with their skinny little ties dressing mod, looking out of sight.

Captions 7-9, Movie Trailers: Nine

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"Out of sight" can, of course, mean that something is literally not visible. But in the case above, it's 1960s-1970s slang for "really great."

You're crazy and I'm out of my mind.

Caption 20, John Legend with Lindsey Stirling: All Of Me

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While "out of mind" in Sigrid's video above means you aren't thinking about something, if someone tells you that you are "out of your mind," it's a rather impolite way of saying they think you are crazy. In that case, you'd better either take their advice and desist in your actions, or be even more determined to prove them wrong!

Further Learning
Phrases using the noun "mind" and its verbal form "to mind" are very common in the English language. There are, in fact, nearly 500 videos on Yabla that include some form of the word. Try looking some of them up on Yabla English to see them used in a variety of different contexts.