# have a mind of one's own

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-a-mind-of-ones-own
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To form one's personal opinions and choose one's actions without being governed by the views or choices of others; to be independently minded; to think for oneself.

## Examples

- My cat has a mind of her own.
- She refuses to follow the team's advice because she has a mind of her own.
- The young artist insisted on choosing her own path, proving early on that she had a mind of her own despite her parents' expectations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.