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Have a Mind of One's Own

What Does "Have a Mind of One's Own" Mean?

homeidiomsHave a Mind of One's Own
"Have a mind of one's own" is an English idiom. It means "to be independent in thought or decision-making; to make choices or decisions based on one's own preferences or beliefs."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "have a mind of one's own" used in a sentence:
  • As a teenager, she definitely has a mind of her own and doesn't always agree with her parents.
  • Having a mind of its own, the computer suddenly shut down without any warning.
  • It's important to encourage children to have a mind of their own and develop critical thinking skills.
meaning for have a mind of one's own

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Have a Mind of One's Own" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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