Language: en
Meaning: (idiomatic)To form one'spersonalopinionsandchooseone's actions without beinggovernedby the views or choices of others; to beindependentlyminded; tothinkfor oneself.1866,Bayard Taylor, chapter 4, inThe Story of Kennett:"Don't be anxious, daddy!" said he, with assumed playfulness; "she's not a girl to take the first that offers. Shehas a mind of her own."1874,Horatio Alger, chapter 25, inBrave and Bold:Captain Evanshad a mind of his own, and did not choose to adopt any man's judgment or prejudices blindly.1921,Louis Joseph Vance, chapter 22, inAlias The Lone Wolf:That little manhas a mind of his own, and even if I do figure on his payroll as confidential secretary, he doesn't tell me everything he knows.2003February 10, Alison Maxwell, “How to marry your own millionaire”, inUSA Today, retrieved3 November 2010:Be a little audacious — disagree on at least one thing so they know youhave a mind of your own.; (of an inanimate or non-sentient thing, with 'its' or 'their')To seem to possess animate qualities or a conscious will, especially a will to misbehave.This washing machine never sticks to the programmed cycle. Ithas a mind of its own.I'm trying to follow the dance steps, but my feethave minds of their own.
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