mind over matter

Idioms  

1. Willpower can overcome physical obstacles, as in Margaret was determined to go to the wedding even on crutches—mind over matter. This idea was already expressed by Virgil in the Aeneid (c. 19 b.c.) as Mens agitat molem, “Mind moves matter,” and it appeared in various forms in English by 1700.

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Example Sentences

"From that time I always said it was mind over matter," Louise said.

From BBC

"If it's cold, dark or even snowing you've just got to grit your teeth and get on with it. It's mind over matter," he says.

From BBC

And it makes sense that when it comes to getting through nausea, which requires a whole lot of mind over matter, I’ve needed even a small shred of hope to cling to.

From Slate

It was almost mind over matter.

From BBC

“It’s mind over matter,” she said.

From Seattle Times