have a mind of (one's)/its own

To have the propensity or ability to think, act, or form opinions without outside influence. It is often used (humorously) to describe an inanimate object that cannot be controlled by its owner. I tried to tell him that wasn't the best decision to make under those circumstances, but you know he has a mind of his own, and he did it anyway. I swear, my vacuum has a mind of its own! It turns on in the middle of the night when we're all asleep! Good luck feeding that paper back into the printer—that thing has a mind of its own!

have a mind of its own

To behave or operate as though controlled by itself, as of a machine. A: "Why is there coffee all over the kitchen?" B: "It seems like the coffee maker has a mind of its own." I swear, my vacuum has a mind of its own! It turns on in the middle of the night when we're all asleep! Good luck feeding that paper back into the printer—that thing has a mind of its own!