Mind the adults

Forums: English, Esl
Email this Topic • Print this Page

Quote:

For example, parents typically tell their children to“mind” the adults in their life. “Don’t talk back, and do what you are told.”

Hello, could anyone tell me the meaning of "mind" in the above context?

There's a definition on Cambridge Dictionary which defines it as "take care of someone or something", but I don't think that fits in. I think "mind" means "obey", but there are not other defintions which are closer".

Thanks!

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Question • Score: 3 • Views: 843 • Replies: 9

[+4] - Roberta - 12/09/2017In this context, mind means to listen to and/or obey.

@iclearwater,

In this context, mind means to listen to and/or obey.

0 Replies

My mother used to say "Mind what I'm telling you".

0 Replies

@iclearwater,

Roberta and Centrox are correct. I would just add two things, while the expression is mostly used for someone in charge to a subordinate, the most common use is for a child in the presence of a parent or teacher.

Second, another use of the verb "mind" is somewhat opposite-to be annoyed by the behavior of someone else. Thus, a polite person might, when a chair is missing from the table at which he is to sit at, go to another table that has several chairs and only one person sitting and ask, "Do you mind if I take this chair?"

0 Replies

I think that "mind [the adults]" in this context means "pay attention to what [the adults] say to you". I think Americans sometime say "pay mind to" to mean "pay attention to". Famously, on the London Underground, recorded announcements at certain stations advise passengers to "mind the gap" (between the train and the platform). To pay attention when boarding or leaving trains. If you walk into people in Britain, they may say "Mind where you are going!"

1 Reply

Thank you very much, everyone. I got it.

0 Replies

@centrox,

centrox wrote:

Famously, on the London Underground, recorded announcements at certain stations advise passengers to "mind the gap" (between the train and the platform). To pay attention when boarding or leaving trains. If you walk into people in Britain, they may say "Mind where you are going!"

Quote:

A 40-year-old "mind the gap" recording once heard across the Tube is returning to one station - so the widow of the actor behind it can hear his voice.

Oswald Laurence's voice was used on the northbound Northern Line but was phased out until only Embankment used it.

Dr Margaret McCollum said she often uses the station and was devastated when "he wasn't there" in November.

She was given a copy of the recording after TfL heard she went to Embankment after his death to hear his voice.

After the request Transport for London bosses decided to restore the voiceover warning to Embankment station.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21719848

1 Reply

@izzythepush,

That's a nice story. Good to see government bureau chiefs with a heart.

0 Replies

@iclearwater,

iclearwater wrote:

I think "mind" means "obey", but there are not other defintions which are closer.

http://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/mind

In the Verb section:
3.5 North American, Irish [with object] Pay attention to; obey.
"you think about how much Cal does for you, and you mind her, you hear?"

1 Reply

@oralloy,

Oralloy, I had read this definition but I wrongly thought it didn't fit in the context previously.

Thank you all for your help again. Each post is helpful, and I'm unable to select the best answer.

0 Replies

Mind the adults

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know