cross one's mind

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase cross one's mind, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression cross one's mind used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "cross one's mind"

Meaning

The idiom "cross one's mind" is a phrase used to indicate a momentary thought or brief idea that appears quickly, and then passes away, or is dismissed. The thought may be one that is out of the ordinary or unexpected, or it may be an idea that is related to the conversation or situation. It is often used to describe an idea which someone has thought of, but then discarded due to not being appropriate for the occasion. This phrase can also be used to describe a thought which is random or insignificant, but was still present for a short time.

Etymology

The phrase “cross one’s mind” dates back to the late 1800s, with the first documented use in a book of poetry by an English poet named George Wilson Bridges in 1881. The phrase was derived from the idea of crossing a line, or boundary, to access new ideas or thoughts. This could relate to physical boundaries, or to the metaphorical boundaries people set around themselves, such as limits on what they will think about or consider. This phrase became more popular in the early twentieth century, and is still widely used today.

Usage

This phrase is often used to describe a thought that someone has had which is tangential to the main topic of discussion. It can also be used to indicate a thought that someone has had which is potentially inappropriate, or which would lead them to steer away from the main topic of conversation. Additionally, it can be used to refer to a thought that someone has had, but then dismissed for one reason or another. It is also occasionally used to describe a weird or random thought, or an idea which pops up briefly and then fades away.

Example Sentences

• The thought of quitting my job crossed my mind, but I decided against it.
• The idea of a vacation to the Caribbean briefly crossed his mind, but he dismissed it due to the cost.
• The phrase “pie in the sky” briefly crossed my mind, although I knew it wasn’t appropriate for the situation.
• The phrase “elephants never forget” crossed my mind when I heard my