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mind2 S1 W2
1 to feel annoyed or upset about something :
I don't mind the heat, in fact I quite like it.
The expression on Dan's face showed that he did mind, very much.
I wouldn't have minded if she'd asked me first.
feel annoyed
[intransitive,transitive not in progressive or passive, usually in questions and negatives]
I don't mind the heat, in fact I quite like it.
The expression on Dan's face showed that he did mind, very much.
I wouldn't have minded if she'd asked me first.3 if you do not mind what someone does or what happens, you do not have a strong opinion about it :
'Do you want to go out now or later?' 'I don't really mind.'
not care which one
not mind
[intransitive,transitive not in progressive or passive] especially British English
'Do you want to go out now or later?' 'I don't really mind.'4 to not ask questions about a situation that does not involve you :
Why don't you just mind your own business and leave me in peace?
I wish he'd mind his own business.
mind your own business
informal
Why don't you just mind your own business and leave me in peace?
I wish he'd mind his own business.5 to be doing something ordinary on your own when something unexpected happens to you :
My father was just driving along, minding his own business, when suddenly a brick came through the window.
be minding your own business
My father was just driving along, minding his own business, when suddenly a brick came through the window.6 spoken
never mind
a) used to tell someone not to worry or be upset about something :
'We haven't done very well, have we?' 'Never mind. At least we tried.'
'We haven't done very well, have we?' 'Never mind. At least we tried.'b) used to say that something is not possible or likely, because even a less extreme thing is not possible or likely :
Well, you would have hardly got a bed in that room, never mind anything else.
I don't think I could walk that far, never mind run that far.
Well, you would have hardly got a bed in that room, never mind anything else.
I don't think I could walk that far, never mind run that far.c) used to tell someone that it is not important to do or consider something now, often because something else is more important :
Never mind me - what about you? What have you been doing?
Never mind the dishes - I'll do them later.
Never mind me - what about you? What have you been doing?
Never mind the dishes - I'll do them later.7 spoken used to say that you would like something :
'Can I get you anything to drink?' 'I wouldn't mind a coffee.'
She's gorgeous! I wouldn't mind looking like that!
I wouldn't mind (doing) something
'Can I get you anything to drink?' 'I wouldn't mind a coffee.'
She's gorgeous! I wouldn't mind looking like that!8 spoken
would/do you mind...?
a) used to politely ask someone's permission
I'll have to leave early, do you mind?
I'll have to leave early, do you mind?b) used to politely ask someone to do something
'Do you want me to carry this bag for you?' 'Would you mind?'
'Do you want me to carry this bag for you?' 'Would you mind?'c) used to angrily ask or tell someone to do something
would you mind doing something?
Would you mind telling me what you're doing in here?
Would you mind shutting up for a minute?
Would you mind telling me what you're doing in here?
Would you mind shutting up for a minute?9 spoken used when saying something that is almost the opposite of what you have just said, or that explains or emphasizes it :
He looks very young in this photo. Mind you, it was taken years ago.
I love hot weather, but not too hot, mind.
mind you
also mind British English
He looks very young in this photo. Mind you, it was taken years ago.
I love hot weather, but not too hot, mind.10 spoken used to warn someone to be careful because they might hurt themselves or someone else, or damage something :
Mind that bike, James!
warning
mind!
British English
Mind that bike, James!11 spoken used when saying goodbye to someone, to tell them to take care
mind how you go
British English12 spoken used to tell someone to do something :
Mind you behave yourself.
mind you do something
British English
Mind you behave yourself.13 spoken used to tell someone that you are not going to tell them something because it is private or secret :
'What's that you were saying to Dad?' 'Never you mind.'
never you mind
especially British English
'What's that you were saying to Dad?' 'Never you mind.'14 spoken used to say to someone that you are annoyed with them because of something they have just done or said :
Do you mind! I just washed that floor!
do you mind!
Do you mind! I just washed that floor!15 spoken
if you don't mind
also if you wouldn't minda) used to check that someone is willing to do something or let you do something :
If you don't mind, I think I'll go to bed now.
I'd like to stay a while longer if you don't mind.
If you don't mind, I think I'll go to bed now.
I'd like to stay a while longer if you don't mind.b) used when you are annoyed to tell someone what to do or what you are going to do :
Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to bed.
Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to bed.c) used humorously or rudely to correct something someone has said :
The name's John, not Jonathan, if you don't mind.
The name's John, not Jonathan, if you don't mind.d) used to refuse someone's offer politely :
'Do you want to come for a drink?' 'I won't if you don't mind. I've got a lot of work to do.'
'Do you want to come for a drink?' 'I won't if you don't mind. I've got a lot of work to do.'16 spoken used when you are saying or asking something that you think might offend someone :
You're looking tired, if you don't mind my saying so.
How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?
if you don't mind my saying so/if you don't mind me asking
You're looking tired, if you don't mind my saying so.
How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?17 spoken used to emphasize what you are saying, especially when it could make you seem silly :
I don't mind admitting that I was really scared.
I don't mind admitting/telling you/saying etc
I don't mind admitting that I was really scared.18 spoken
don't mind me
a) used to tell someone not to pay any attention to you :
If you want to get on and do something, please don't mind me.
If you want to get on and do something, please don't mind me.b) used when you are annoyed because someone is not paying any attention to you :
Don't mind me! I only live here!
Don't mind me! I only live here!19 spoken used to say sorry for someone else's behaviour :
Don't mind her. She doesn't mean to be hurtful.
don't mind her/him etc
Don't mind her. She doesn't mean to be hurtful.20 spoken used humorously to accept something such as food or drink that has been offered to you
(I) don't mind if I do
old-fashioned21
take care of something/somebody
[transitive] British Englisha) to be responsible for something for a short time [= watch]:
Will you mind my bag while I buy my ticket?
Will you mind my bag while I buy my ticket?b) to take care of a child while their parents are not there [= look after]:
My sister minds the baby while I'm at yoga.
My sister minds the baby while I'm at yoga.22 to be in charge of something, while the person who is usually in charge is not there
mind the shop
British English, mind the store American English informal23 to be careful about what you say or how you behave so that you do not offend anyone :
She gave him a frown and told him to mind his manners.
mind your manners/language/p's and q's
She gave him a frown and told him to mind his manners.24 to obey someone's instructions or advice :
Some dogs will mind instructions better than others.
obey
[transitive not in progressive] American English
Some dogs will mind instructions better than others.mind out
phrasal verb
Mind out. The plates are hot.