mind you speech meaning

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Definition of mind you

Examples of mind you in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mind you.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near mind you

mind the store

Cite this Entry

“Mind you.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind%20you. Accessed 31 Mar. 2024.

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You can say this if you're moderating what you've just said to make it less strong, or if you're adding a warning.

For example

• Justin's teacher said, "Yes, he's a bully. Mind you, he's not one of the ringleaders, and he'd be bullied too if he didn't join in."
• "It's really hot in the desert. But it can get very cold at night, mind you."

"Susan is a brilliant lawyer. Mind you, she

Contributor: Matt Errey

What Does "Mind You" Mean?

Examples in sentences.

• It's a challenging task, mind you, but I think you're up for it.
• He's very smart, mind you, but he lacks common sense.
• The cake turned out quite delicious – it was a bit dry, mind you, but the flavour was superb.

What Is an Idiom?

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Definition of 'mind (you)'

Examples of 'mind (you)' in a sentence mind (you), browse alphabetically mind (you).

• mincing machine
• mind drifts
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'M'

Related terms of mind (you)

• never you mind
• mind how you go
• if you don't mind
• to put you in mind of
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Mindful Speech: Using Your Words to Help, Not Harm

Practice restraint of pen, tongue, and thumb..

Posted September 20, 2018

When we want our kids to express themselves in ways other than tantrumming or throwing peas at the dog, we say “Use your words.” But I often wonder, do we adults really know how to use our words skillfully, in ways that help and don’t harm?

This morning I was on a train listening to a mother talking to her young son. The mother’s words were unkind and deliberately hurtful, in a way that demonstrated their damage instantaneously. Yesterday I worked with a couple who came to see me to learn how to communicate better. For an hour, I listened to both of them using their words to criticize and humiliate each other. Last week I said something to a friend that was not helpful for our relationship and not skillful in terms of expressing myself in a way that she could hear. Add to all that, I just received an aggressive email from a family member telling me all the reasons why I was wrong (and he was right) about something we had discussed.

It’s been a week of thinking about words, those spoken as well as those left unspoken. We've all had the experience of saying something and wishing we hadn't. And, we all know that once we do say something out loud to someone, we can never really take it back. In Buddhism, there’s an important practice called “Right Speech.” Right speech is part of the Noble Eightfold Path, the fundamental, eight-part instruction manual for ending our suffering. According to the Buddha, our own wellbeing is built upon the practice of not lying , not slandering, not using unkind or abusive language, and not gossiping. In order to end our own suffering, we’re taught to speak truthfully and use words to promote harmony and understanding, reduce anger , and most of all, be helpful.

Sometimes I read the Buddha’s words on words and think about how radically different our world would be if more people practiced his version of right speech, as a path to happiness . We’re living in a time when

communication is constant and words are cheap; we throw our words around on social media and the like as if they bear no consequences and are without any real or lasting impact on those who receive them, and our world. Because we don’t have to witness or hear the impact of our words online or via text, we’ve forgotten (or are purposing ignoring) the effects of the words we choose to put into our world.

As we age, our relationship with words and speech changes. When we’re young we tend to believe that what we have to say is extraordinary, original, and right in some overarching, universal way. We have a strong need to be known and recognized, to establish who we are. It feels important thus to have our words heard and to use our words to correct any wrongs we encounter. Our words are representations of our self; without them, we don’t feel we exist.

But as we evolve and hopefully a bit of humility sets in, we often realize how little we actually know, how much less we have to say than we thought. And, how much has already been said by those before us. So too, we recognize how many versions of “right” actually exist—in addition to our own. If we’re lucky, we start to lose the sense of awe we have for our own words. Furthermore, we come to understand how powerful our words actually are, how deeply the words we choose impact our relationships and our own wellbeing. If we’re paying attention , we assume a greater sense of responsibility for the words we put into the world.

In my own life, I’ve been actively paying attention to and practicing (or doing my best to practice) right speech for some time now. I do this in many ways but three in particular stand out.

First, I consciously try to use my words to provide support and encouragement. Before speaking, I think about how my words can point the other person towards something positive in themselves, something they do well or that might feel helpful. I see my words as having the potential and purpose to remind another person of their own goodness and possibility.

Second, I choose to relieve my words of the burden of having to perfectly and completely capture my actual experience. Words are powerful and at the same time layers of experience exist that are not conveyable or formulate-able with words. And so, rather than demanding that my words be absolute representations of my experience, and furthermore that I be understood by others, completely, through my words, I now accept that some of what we live internally is simply is not language-able…and that’s okay. It has to be okay because it is.

Finally, I used to believe that when my partner said something I disagreed with, it was my responsibility to explain why he was wrong. I felt I had to engage with and correct the wrongs I perceived.

Right or mindful speech, blessedly, has taught me how to say less, not more. I now practice restraint of pen, tongue and thumb. Not speaking, writing or texting when I feel bothered or perceive a wrong, has in fact been most significant in my practice because of how directly and deeply I feel its results, both in myself and in my relationships. It turns out that silence, particularly at the times when I most want to use a lot of words, is in fact more powerful than anything I could say. Saying nothing says a lot.

Practicing right speech, I see that when my partner says something I don’t agree with, remarkably, I don’t have to say anything at all. I can leave anything and everything just as it is. I don’t need to change anyone else’s ideas to own my own ideas; my truth does not depend on adjusting anyone else's truth. My partner and everyone else can have their experience and I can have my own, simultaneously. If it’s something that we need to find consensus on, perhaps something about the kids, I can also choose to press the pause button when I hear something that feels very wrong. I can say nothing in the moment and take time to think about what I want to say, if anything, and how to say it in a way that can be helpful to the situation and that the other person can hear. I have learned, in fact, that I have all sorts of choices in how to employ the power of speech.

I have discovered that relationships run far more smoothly when I take the path of saying less, not more, and even nothing at all sometimes. And, that the peace I'm trying to create through words, the peace that is always my end goal, is paradoxically maintained through the absence of words. It feels miraculous every time I say nothing and simply let go without a response or reaction, other than silence. This, for me, is emotional freedom. Many moons ago, Mahatma Ghandi beautifully used his words to say this: “Speak only if it improves upon the silence.” And I would offer (hopefully adding to the silence) that before using our words, we can ask, will these words help or harm?

Nancy Colier, LCSW, Rev., is a psychotherapist, interfaith minister, and the author of The Emotionally Exhausted Woman, Can’t Stop Thinking , The Power of Off, and Inviting a Monkey to Tea .

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Definition of mind noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

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You might have used the idiom "mind your words" to warn someone else to be careful about what they say. This common expression conveys a sense of caution, respect, or politeness when speaking to or about someone or something.

In short: The idiom " mind your words " means to be careful or respectful about what one says.

What Does "Mind Your Words" Mean?

The idiom "mind your words" is derived from the literal meaning of the verb "to mind," which is to pay attention to or be careful of something. On the other hand, when someone says they mind their words, they are figuratively speaking that they watch what they say or write.

The idiom "mind your words" can be used in various ways depending on the sentence's context and subject.

For example:

"Mind your words when you talk to your boss."

"I always mind my words when I write an email."

"Do you mind your words when you post on social media?"

Where Does "Mind Your Words" Come From?

The origin and history of the idiom "mind your words" seems to have emerged in the late 18th century in British English literature and speech.

Historical Examples

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest recorded use of the phrase " mind your words " was in 1790 by the British poet William Cowper in his poem The Task: "Mind well thy words; for there will come a day When thou must answer for them all." Another early example of the idiom " mind your words " was in 1819 by the British novelist Sir Walter Scott in his novel Ivanhoe: "Mind your words; though I am old and stout, I have a young and fiery heart."

10 Examples of "Mind Your Words" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how the idiom "mind your words" can be used in different sentences:

• Mind your words when you write a review; you don't want to offend anyone in these trying times .
• Oh, snap ! She didn't mind her words and blurted out the secret.
• He always minds his words when he speaks to his elders. Quite frankly , he is a good lad.
• For your sake , mind your words , young lady. That's no way to talk to your teacher.
• I don't mind my words ; I say what I think and don't care what they say.
• Do you mind your words when you comment online? I bet you only use burner accounts .
• Mind your words , or you'll regret it later. You better not act like a smart cookie .
• She minded her words and gave a polite compliment. What can I say? She is a woman with class.
• He didn't mind his words and started a fight. I have no words for his bad temperament.
• Mind your words , please; this is a formal occasion. Or else we will have you thrown out.

Examples of "Mind Your Words" in Pop Culture

The idiom "mind your words" has also been used in various forms of pop culture, such as movies, TV shows, songs, books, etc.

Here are some examples of how the idiom "mind your words" has been used in pop culture:

• In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Hermione Granger tells the character Ron Weasley to mind his words when he insults the house elf Dobby. She says: "Honestly, Ron, it's not funny. Thanks to that house-elf, Harry was lucky not to end up in Azkaban. You'd better mind your words."
• In the TV show Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Tyrion Lannister tells Jon Snow to mind his words when discussing the Night's Watch. He says: "It's better to be a rich cripple. Take it from me. You don't want to be alone in this world. Especially not here… Mind your words."
• In the song Mind Your Manners (2012) by the band Pearl Jam, the singer Eddie Vedder uses the idiom "mind your manners" to criticize the hypocrisy and corruption of some influential people.

Other Ways to Say "Mind Your Words"

Here are some synonyms and alternative expressions for "mind your words":

• Watch your words
• Be careful with your words
• Choose your words wisely
• Think before you speak
• Bite your tongue
• Hold your tongue
• Zip your lip
• Keep the civil language in your head
• Don't say anything you'll regret
• Speak with respect

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Mind Your Words"

Here are some common questions and answers about the idiom "mind your words":

• What does "mind your words" mean?

This common expression conveys a sense of caution, respect, or politeness when speaking to or about someone or something.

• What is the origin of "mind your words"?
• What are some synonyms for "mind your words"?

Some synonyms for "mind your words" are "watch your words," "zip your lip," "think before you speak," etc.

• Is "mind your words" a polite or rude expression?

It depends on the speaker or writer's tone, context, and intention. It can be a polite expression if it is used as a friendly reminder or helpful advice. On the other hand, it can be a rude expression if it is used as a harsh warning or a sarcastic remark.

• What is the difference between "mind your words" and "mind your language"?

The difference between "mind your words" and "mind your language" is that "mind your words" is more general and can refer to any aspect of what one says or writes. "Mind your language" is more specific and usually refers to avoiding rude, vulgar, or offensive words.

• How did the idiom "mind your words" become popular?

The idiom became popular due to social media's influence and the expression's relevance to the current social norms of different countries.

• What are some situations where one should "mind their words"?

Some situations where one should mind their words are:

When talking to someone who is older, higher, or more important than oneself.

When talking to someone who is sensitive, emotional, or easily offended.

When talking about something that is controversial, sensitive, or confidential.

• What are some idioms that are related to "mind your words"?

Some idioms that are related to "mind your words" are: "a man of his word," "a word to the wise," and "a picture is worth a thousand words."

• What are some consequences of "not minding one's words"?

Some consequences of not minding one's words are offending, insulting, or hurting someone's feelings. Additionally, it can provoke or escalate a conflict or argument with someone.

• What are some benefits of "minding one's words"?

One benefit of minding one's words is avoiding misunderstandings, conflicts, or arguments.

Final Thoughts About "Mind Your Words"

The idiom "mind your words" helps express caution or respect when speaking or writing to or about someone or something.

Key points to remember about the idiom "mind your words" are:

• It can be used as an imperative, a declarative, or an interrogative to tell, express, or ask someone to be careful or respectful about what they say or write
• It implies that one's words can have a negative impact or consequence on oneself or others, such as offending, provoking, breaking, spreading, or revealing something.
• It can be used in various contexts and situations, such as personal, professional, social, or formal.
• It has some variations and related expressions that use "mind" to convey a similar meaning of caution or respect when speaking or writing.

We hope this article has helped you learn more about the idiom "mind your words" and how to use it in your writing and speaking. Thank you for reading!

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Mustafa Suleyman, DeepMind and Inflection Co-founder, joins Microsoft to lead Copilot

Mar 19, 2024 | Microsoft Corporate Blogs

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Satya Nadella, Chief Executive Officer, shared the below communication today with Microsoft employees.

I want to share an exciting and important organizational update today. We are in Year 2 of the AI platform shift and must ensure we have the capability and capacity to boldly innovate.

There is no franchise value in our industry and the work and product innovation we drive at this moment will define the next decade and beyond. Let us use this opportunity to build world-class AI products, like Copilot, that are loved by end-users! This is about science, engineering, product, and design coming together and embracing a learning mindset to push our innovation culture and product building process forward in fundamental ways.

In that context, I’m very excited to announce that Mustafa Suleyman and Karén Simonyan are joining Microsoft to form a new organization called Microsoft AI, focused on advancing Copilot and our other consumer AI products and research.

Mustafa will be EVP and CEO, Microsoft AI, and joins the senior leadership team (SLT), reporting to me. Karén is joining this group as Chief Scientist, reporting to Mustafa. I’ve known Mustafa for several years and have greatly admired him as a founder of both DeepMind and Inflection, and as a visionary, product maker, and builder of pioneering teams that go after bold missions.

Karén, a Co-founder and Chief Scientist of Inflection, is a renowned AI researcher and thought leader, who has led the development of some of the biggest AI breakthroughs over the past decade including AlphaZero.

Several members of the Inflection team have chosen to join Mustafa and Karén at Microsoft. They include some of the most accomplished AI engineers, researchers, and builders in the world. They have designed, led, launched, and co-authored many of the most important contributions in advancing AI over the last five years. I am excited for them to contribute their knowledge, talent, and expertise to our consumer AI research and product making.

At our core, we have always been a platform and partner-led company, and we’ll continue to bring that sensibility to all we do. Our AI innovation continues to build on our most strategic and important partnership with OpenAI. We will continue to build AI infrastructure inclusive of custom systems and silicon work in support of OpenAI’s foundation model roadmap, and also innovate and build products on top of their foundation models. And today’s announcement further reinforces our partnership construct and principles.

As part of this transition, Mikhail Parakhin and his entire team, including Copilot, Bing, and Edge; and Misha Bilenko and the GenAI team will move to report to Mustafa. These teams are at the vanguard of innovation at Microsoft, bringing a new entrant energy and ethos, to a changing consumer product landscape driven by the AI platform shift. These organizational changes will help us double down on this innovation.

Kevin Scott continues as CTO and EVP of AI, responsible for all-up AI strategy, including all system architecture decisions, partnerships, and cross-company orchestration. Kevin was the first person I leaned on to help us manage our transformation to an AI-first company and I’ll continue to lean on him to ensure that our AI strategy and initiatives are coherent across the breadth of Microsoft.

Rajesh Jha continues as EVP of Experiences & Devices and I’m grateful for his leadership as he continues to build out Copilot for Microsoft 365, partnering closely with Mustafa and team.

There are no other changes to the senior leadership team or other organizations.

We have been operating with speed and intensity and this infusion of new talent will enable us to accelerate our pace yet again.

We have a real shot to build technology that was once thought impossible and that lives up to our mission to ensure the benefits of AI reach every person and organization on the planet, safely and responsibly. I’m looking forward to doing so with you.

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Meaning of mind (you) in English

• any way you slice it idiom
• at any rate idiom
• at least idiom
• disjunctive
• in the face of something idiom
• in the teeth of something idiom
• nevertheless

Translations of mind (you)

Get a quick, free translation!

Word of the Day

a bitter pill (to swallow)

something that is very unpleasant but must be accepted

Sitting on the fence (Newspaper idioms)

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Earth just experienced a severe geomagnetic storm. Here's what that means – and what you can expect.

By Li Cohen

Updated on: March 25, 2024 / 10:16 AM EDT / CBS News

The planet was just slammed with what government officials dubbed a severe geomagnetic storm, the second-highest level of NOAA's rating system. The event brought "a major disturbance in Earth's magnetic field" that may have impacted infrastructure and made the northern lights visible farther than usual, officials said. 

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued a geomagnetic storm watch on Saturday, saying that a coronal mass ejection was detected and expected to hit the planet late that same day with impacts into Monday. Coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are when a large cloud of plasma and magnetic field bursts from the sun's corona. 

This particular CME exploded alongside a solar flare on Friday, an event that occurs when electromagnetic radiation suddenly erupts from the sun. NOAA says these flares can last hours and the eruption "travels at the speed of light," meaning it can impact Earth as soon as it is observed. An X-class flare , like what was observed with the CME, is the strongest type of flare, although this particular one was not the strongest on record. NOAA forecasters did say, however, that more X-class flares are possible through Wednesday.

"The public should not be concerned, but may wish to keep informed by visiting our webpage for any forecast changes and updates," NOAA said on Saturday, saying a moderate geomagnetic storm was possible. By Sunday afternoon, however, the agency alerted of a  "severe" storm  that could potentially impact technology – and eventually extend the northern lights  as far south as Alabama . 

This is a video summary of the 22 March solar flares, coronal mass ejection (CME), and eventual CME arrival at Earth on 24 March - with resultant geomagnetic storms. The CME progression continues at this time. pic.twitter.com/u5FeeSMzGp — NOAA Space Weather (@NWSSWPC) March 24, 2024

"The public should not anticipate adverse impacts and no action is necessary, but they should stay properly informed of storm progression by visiting our webpage," NOAA said in its alert, adding that "normally mitigable" problems with voltage control was possible, as well as "frequent and longer periods of GPS degradation." 

"Infrastructure operators have been notified to take action to mitigate any possible impacts," the agency said.

On Monday morning, NOAA said that the impacts of the CME "appear to be weakening," but that solar wind speeds – which help carry the event – were still elevated. The warning of a "moderate" storm has since been extended. Moderate geomagnetic storms , classified as G2, can potentially impact high-latitude power systems, damage transformers and extend the northern lights to New York and Idaho. It can also potentially require flight ground control to issue corrective actions for orientation. 

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Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

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