Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

I got *half a mind * to contract my uterus/
*can't focus on*?

Thanks

[asterix]

If you have half a mind to do something, you have almost made up your mind to do it.
It means you are seriously considering doing it.

[saywhat?]

I would think that to have half a mind would suggest that you would really like to do something, but probably wouldn't, because it is perhaps too extreme. Sort of like, half your mind would like to, but the other half knows better.

I got *half a mind * to contract my uterus. = It would save me a lot of trouble if I just contracted my uterus (but I probably won't).

I have half a mind to tell your parents. = That's a stupid thing (or bad thing) to do and I would really like to (or should) tell your parents (but I'm not going to.)

I have half a mind to tell the boss I quit. = I am really mad with my boss and I would love to tell him I quit (but I need the job).

Perhaps it is a regional difference in the use of this expression.