mind one's own business
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Pronunciation
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
mind one's own business (third-person singular simple present minds one's own business, present participle minding one's own business, simple past and past participle minded one's own business)
- (idiomatic) To concern oneself only with what is of interest to oneself and not interfere in the affairs of others.
- I was just walking down the road, minding my own business, when I was attacked by a mugger.
- 1846, “Moral Responsibilities”, in The British Friend: A Monthly Journal Chiefly Devoted to the Interests of the Society of Friends, volume 4, number 8, page 204:
- The idea is but too prevalent in almost every community, that a man has discharged his duties as a citizen, well enough, if he minds his own business and does not meddle with the affairs of his neighbours. "Look out for Number One," is a great fundamental maxim, which is in every body's mouth, and which every body takes credit to himself for acting upon. It is preached to us sometimes from the pulpit even, and Christians, as well as infidels, pride themselves upon the assiduity with which they can look out for "Number One."
- 1977, “Peaches”, performed by the Stranglers:
- Strolling along, minding my own business
Well, there goes a girl and a half
Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
to concern oneself only with what is of interest to oneself and not interfere in the affairs of others
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See also
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