have sb/sth in mind

/hav ˌɛsbˈiː slˈaʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ ɪn mˈaɪnd/

/hæv ˌɛsbˈiː slˈæʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ ɪn mˈaɪnd/

[phrase]

to have sb/sth in mind

[PHRASE]

to consider someone or something when doing or mentioning something

synonyms : mean

think of

What is the origin of the idiom "have someone or something in mind" and when to use it?

While the exact origin of the idiom "have someone or something in mind" is challenging to pinpoint, it has been in use for several centuries. It can be traced back to the Middle English period and has been a common expression in the English language since then. The combination of "have" and "mind" in this context conveys the idea of having a specific person or thing in one's thoughts or consideration. Over time, the phrase has become firmly established as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a specific preference or choice. Its origin is rooted in the natural evolution of the English language and its usage in everyday speech.

Examples

1. If you have anything in mind that I may have missed, feel free to leave them down in the comments.

2. I do also have a few TV shows in mind, so, yeah.

3. I do have a few ideas in mind already, to be honest, that I could talk about, things that I've experienced in say, like, the past year that have really rubbed me the wrong way that I wouldn't mind talking about.

4. Actually making sure that the systems and the structures that are being developed, that the new tools that are coming out, have civil rights in mind.