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of two minds

of two minds

4 6.7
Feeling unsure about which choice to make
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : estar indeciso
  • I am of two minds about whether to accept the job offer or continue my studies.

And you know, I'm of two minds of, of compromise.

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Examples

  • We find that the United States, like Hamilton himself, has always been of two minds about the commercial enterprise.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Someone brought up princess culture, and I admit I am of two minds about it.

    Blog text (23)
  • The person is of two minds about what they feel, what they want, what they think is right for them.

  • - I am of two minds about it, you know?

  • Third, the new government appears to be of two minds about the arms industry.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Congress and the executive branch were of two minds over these developments.

    Academic text (2001)
  • I am of two minds on the subject of credibility.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Socialists are of two minds with respect to the level of U.S. crude oil imports.

    Blog text (4)
  • The reason I'm of two minds is that I can't decide whether my objection is principled or aesthetic.

    Blog text (28)
  • The record shows that missionaries, like everyone else, often found themselves of two minds—or multiple minds—about issues great and small.

    Academic text (2003)

Synonyms

undecided
vsof two minds
75 2.9

Not yet sure which option or side to choose

is unsure because opinions or feelings conflict rather than only lacking decision
conflicted
vsof two minds
35 4.4

Not sure because you have two opposite feelings

is unsure due to conflicting opinions or feelings in the same way
ambivalent
vsof two minds
33 7.1

Feeling both good and bad about something and not sure what to do

is unsure because opinions or feelings conflict rather than mere hesitation
torn
vsof two minds
31 4.2

Feeling pulled between two choices or loyalties

is unsure but usually less emotionally intense than this state
indecisive
vsof two minds
16 4.3

Slow to choose and unsure about what to do

is unsure due to conflicting opinions or feelings, not a steady decision habit

Antonyms

840 1.0

Feeling sure and having no doubt

2.6

Very clear and easy to notice

How Certain

certain
840 1.0
decided
2.6
of two minds
  • Informal
4 6.7
doubtful
25 3.0
unsure
89 1.5

Surface Forms

of two minds positive

Morphology

of + two + mind

The meaning 'uncertain/undecided' is directly derivable from combining 'two' (the number) with 'mind' (opinion/thought): having two minds naturally suggests holding two conflicting opinions. This is a straightforward compositional metaphor found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Of two minds paints a simple picture: imagine a person with two minds, each wanting something different and pulling them in different directions. So it means 'uncertain' or 'undecided'.