# have sb/sth in mind

idiom · CEFR B2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-sb-sth-in-mind
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

to be thinking of a specific person, thing, or plan for a particular purpose.

## Examples

- I have a specific gift in mind for your birthday.
- The manager has a few candidates in mind for the new position, but she wants to interview more people first.
- Although the architect had a minimalist design in mind for the library, the committee insisted on adding several elaborate, traditional features to the final structure.

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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.