Half a mind Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhæf/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈmaɪnd

HAF-uh-MYND

UK

hˈɑːf/ /æɪ/ /mˈaɪnd

HAAF-uh-MYND

Definition

If you have 'half a mind' to do something, you are considering doing it or feel tempted, but you have not fully decided.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal phrase. It often expresses annoyance or frustration when someone feels tempted to act (often to react strongly), e.g. 'I have half a mind to call his manager.' Use with verbs in the infinitive after 'to.' It doesn't mean you literally have 'half a mind.'

• Spanish: ganas de (hacer algo) - estar tentado a
• Portuguese (BR): vontade de (fazer algo) - estar tentado a
• Portuguese (PT): vontade de (fazer algo) - estar tentado a
• Chinese (Simplified): 有点想（做某事） - 有冲动做某事
• Chinese (Traditional): 有點想（做某事） - 有衝動做某事
• Hindi: मन है (कुछ करने का) - करने की इच्छा
• Arabic: ميل لفعل شيء - لدى رغبة في
• Bengali: ইচ্ছে ছিল - ভাবছিলাম - একটু মন চাইছিল
• Russian: подумывать - было желание - возник соблазн
• Japanese: ～しようかと思う - ～したい気もする
• Vietnamese: muốn làm - định làm - có ý định
• Korean: 하고 싶은 마음이 있다 - 할까 싶다
• Turkish: içimden gelmek - neredeyse yapmak
• Urdu: دل چاہ رہا تھا - ارادہ کر رہا تھا
• Indonesian: đã tính - định - muốn làm

Example Sentences

I have half a mind to skip the meeting today.

basic

She had half a mind to tell him the truth.

basic

My brother has half a mind to move to another city.

basic

Honestly, I've got half a mind to just walk out and quit.

natural

He looked so rude, I had half a mind to say something back.

natural

After waiting an hour, we had half a mind to leave the restaurant.

natural