be of/in two minds, to

be in two minds

To experience indecision and/or conflicting emotions. I am in two minds about whether or not to go to the party tonight. I'm sure it will be fun, but I have a lot of work to do too. The committee is currently in two minds about a suitable punishment, but hopefully they will reach a decision in the morning.See also: mind, two

be of two minds

To experience indecision and/or conflicting emotions. I am of two minds about whether or not to go to the party tonight. I'm sure it will be fun, but I have a lot of work to do too. The committee is currently of two minds about a suitable punishment, but hopefully they can reach a decision in the morning.See also: mind, of, two

be in (or of) two minds

be unable to decide between alternatives.See also: mind, two

be of two minds

To have mixed feelings or be undecided about something.See also: mind, of, two

be of/in two minds, to

To be unable to decide, to be in doubt. This turn of phrase goes back to the early sixteenth century, although the number two was not fixed. Jehan Palsgrave wrote (1530), “I am of dyverse myndes,” and in the eighteenth century several writers came up with as many as twenty minds. Dickens used both—“I was in twenty minds at once” (David Copperfield) and “. . . was in two minds about fighting or accepting a pardon” (A Child’s History of England).See also: of, two