half a mind
A moderate, irresolute, or indefinite inclination or intention. My flight home was so terrible, I have half a mind to write a letter to the airline company and complain. We set out on the road with only half a mind as to where we would go! I know you're annoyed and have half a mind to start a fight here, but can we please just get through Thanksgiving dinner in peace?
have a good mind to (do something)
To feel a strong urge or desire to do something. I have a good mind to tell those kids to get off my lawn! She was so upset that she had a good mind to write a letter of complaint to the president of the company. I know you're angry and have a good mind to tell your boss off right now, but you really think that's the best idea?
have half a mind to (do something)
To have an inclination or intention to do something, especially as a result of some unpleasant experience. My flight home was so terrible, I have half a mind to write a letter to the airline company and complain. She had half a mind to call the police on the people blasting music at 3 AM. I know you're annoyed and have half a mind to start a fight here, but can we please just get through Thanksgiving dinner in peace?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
have a good/half a mind to, to
To be strongly inclined toward; to be somewhat inclined toward. The first term began life back in the fifteenth century as having a great mind to do something, as in “I have a great mynd to be a lecherous man” (John Bale, Kyng Johan, ca. 1550). In 1674 Lord Clarendon wrote in History of the Rebellion, “The duke of Lorrayne had a very good mind to get a footing in Ireland.” The second phrase, which implies indecision—half of one’s mind inclines one way and the other half the other way—was known by 1700 or so and appeared more and more often in the nineteenth century. “She had half a mind to reply,” wrote Edward Bulwer-Lytton (My Novel, 1853).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer