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half a mind

Idioms  
  1. An inclination that is not definite or resolute. For example, I've half a mind to drop the course, or He went out with half a mind to walk all the way there. [First half of 1700s] Also see have a good mind to.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Any movie lover with half a mind knows that the auteur theory is bunk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“I had half a mind to buy it—just for giggles,” Culkin told the audience at the Rosemont Theater in Illinois during a December 2024 appearance, according to the New York Times.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

As they walk through the Mexican capital, they admit to having half a mind to resettle here one day.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2025

I had half a mind to reply to your email with my number so we could just talk through this mess on the phone.

From Slate • Aug. 28, 2019

This thought continued to torment me as I tried to sleep, and I had half a mind to make an apology to the landlord this morning.

From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro

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