make up one's mind
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Phrasal Verb: * To reach a decision; to decide: This phrase means to choose between options or to form a definite opinion or intention after considering the possibilities.
Usage
This phrasal verb is used when a person or group stops being undecided and chooses a specific course of action or forms a final opinion. It is intransitive and does not take a direct object. The decision itself is often introduced with a clause or a prepositional phrase.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used in the negative or in questions to emphasize indecision.
- He just can't seem to make up his mind.
- Have you made up your mind yet?
- It can be used with a reflexive pronoun () to emphasize the personal nature of the decision.
Variants and Related Words
- Makeup (n): Cosmetics applied to the face. (Note: This is a distinct, unrelated noun.)
- Mind (n): The element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; intellect or consciousness.
- Make up (phrasal verb): This is a separate, highly versatile phrasal verb with many meanings (e.g., to invent, to reconcile, to constitute, to apply cosmetics). Do not confuse it with "make up one's mind."
Synonyms
- Decide: To come to a conclusion or resolution.
- Determine: To settle or decide firmly.
- Choose: To select from a number of possibilities.
- Resolve: To decide firmly on a course of action.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Make up (for): To compensate for something.
- He worked hard to make up for the lost time.
- Make up (with): To reconcile after an argument.
- They finally made up after their fight.
Related Idioms
- Be in two minds (about something): To be unable to decide between two options; to be undecided.
- I'm in two minds about accepting the job offer.
- Change one's mind: To alter one's decision or opinion.
- I was going to leave, but I changed my mind.
Verb
- reach, make, or come to a decision about something
- We finally decided after lengthy deliberations