How to Pronounce "have the presence of mind to do"
expression
HAV thuh PREZ-uhnss uhv MYND tuh DOO
hav thuh PREZ-uhnss ov MYND too DOO
Definition
To stay calm and think clearly in a difficult or surprising situation, so that you are able to do something useful or sensible.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈhæv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈpɹɛzəns/ /ˈəv/ /ˈmaɪnd/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈdu
British English
hæv/ /ðə, ði/ /pɹˈɛzəns/ /ˈɒv/ /mˈaɪnd/ /tˈuː/ /dʉː
Simplified Pronunciation
US
HAV thuh PREZ-uhnss uhv MYND tuh DOO
UK
hav thuh PREZ-uhnss ov MYND too DOO
Listen in Context
She had the presence of mind to do the right thing during the fire.
He didn't have the presence of mind to do anything when he saw the accident.
Do you have the presence of mind to do what needs to be done in emergencies?
I was so nervous, but I somehow had the presence of mind to do exactly what the instructions said.