ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mean to do sth

idiom
Meaning

to do something on purpose or have a specific plan in mind.


Examples
SIMPLE

I am sorry, I did not mean to do that.

CONTEXTUAL

He apologized immediately after the accident, explaining that he certainly did not mean to do it.

COMPLEX

She insisted that she never meant to do any harm, despite the unintended consequences of her impulsive decision.

Last updated April 22, 2026