Mind Expressions Student Handout

1. Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences with 1 word to form expressions with mind.

1. So youve decided to do a masters too! ________ minds think alike!

2. They found the lost pendrive down the back of the sofa. Phew! Thats a ________ off my
mind.
3. The UN has organised a council of scientists to discuss the best way to solve the issue, its
going to be a real _________ of the minds.
4. Due to the recent speculation about a move to Real Madrid, the player has stated that hes
not in the right _________ of mind to play tomorrow.
5. No one in their _________ mind would buy that car, its a death-trap!
6. If you two dont be quiet and go to sleep, Im going to come up there and _____ you a
______ of my mind!
7. My mobile phone seems to _______ a mind of its _______. Its always calling people in my
bag.
8. The distances wed have to travel to reach another habitable planet are mind-___________,
its not going to be possible in our lifetime.
9. Im ___ two minds about what to do on Sunday, we could have a picnic or we could go to
the cinema.
10. ______ your mind back to the day of the robbery Mrs. Jones, what time did your husband
arrive home?
11. Its worth __________ in mind that the sun goes down at 5:30 in winter, so we have to be
off the mountain by then.
12. It never ___________my mind to ask Tony for help, I figured he didnt know anything about
computers.
13. Would you like another martini George? Oooo dont mind ____ I _____.
14. I have ______ a mind to go up there myself and tell them to turn the music down.
15. Im sorry but Ive completely forgotten your name, Ive got a mind like a _________.
16. Most teenage boys have a one-_________ mind, and we all know what that means!
17. Hi babe, are you tired? No, why? Because youve been ________through my mind all night.
18. You can achieve anything if you ______ your mind to it!
19. I was just sat at the bus-stop minding my _____ _______ when this guy walked up and
started insulting me!
20. You have to mind your ___s and ____s around my grandma, shes quite sensitive about
that sort of thing.
21. Oh no! I forgot to bring you that letter, sorry, it completely ________ my mind.
 2. Key
Below are the expressions from ex 1. Look at them with a partner, how can you express them in other
words?

1. Great minds think alike 12. Cross ones mind/It never crossed my
2. A load off ones mind mind to
3. A meeting of the minds 13. Dont mind if I do
4. In a frame of mind 14. Have half a mind to
5. No one in their right mind would 15. Have a mind like a sieve
6. Give sb a piece of ones mind 16. Have a one-tracked mind
7. Have a mind of its own 17. Run through ones mind
8. Mind-boggling 18. Put ones mind to st
9. To be in/of two minds about something 19. Mind ones own business
10. Cast ones mind back 20. Mind ones ps and qs
11. Bear in mind/Its worth bearing in mind 21. Slip ones mind

3. Analysis
With your partner, look at the expressions and answer the questions below.

1. Which ones are easy to guess from the individual meaning of the words?
2. Which ones do you like?
3. Which ones sound good?
4. Which ones can be used in the most situations? And which in the least?
5. Which ones can you easily relate to your life? Why?
6. Which ones would you use in a letter/email/text message?
7. Which ones would you use in speech?

4. Discussion
1. Do you have a mind like a ________? What things normally _______ your mind?
2. Is it true that men have a ______-track mind?
3. How far can you ______ your mind back?
4. Is it important to mind your ___s and ___s around your family?
5. Are you a busy-body? Or do you tend to mind your _____ _____________?
6. When was the last time you _______ someone a piece of your mind?
7. You can achieve anything if you ________ your mind to it. Do you agree?
8. Are you ____ two minds about anything at the moment?
9. Complete the sentence about something in your city/life/country at the moment: No one in
their _______ mind would..
10. Do any of your things have a mind of their ________?
11. What should people ________ in mind if they want to do your favourite hobby/past-time?
12. Can you think of any news youve received recently that was a _______ off your mind?
13. Has anything been __________through your mind a lot recently? What are you going to do
about it?