PhrasesHub

Mull (something) over

    Definitions

      • Consider or think about something carefully
        To take time to think about a decision or a problem before making a final choice or coming to a conclusion

      • Delay making a decision
        To postpone making a decision or taking action on something for a period of time

    Examples of Mull (something) over

    • Rachel mulled over her job offer in her head as she took a long walk in the park.

      Rachel was carefully considering her job offer as she went for a walk. She was thinking about the pros and cons of accepting the offer and trying to make a decision.

    • After the interview, the candidate mulled over the questions he was asked and the way he answered them.

      The candidate was reflecting on the questions he was asked in the interview and how he responded. He was trying to evaluate his performance and see if he answered everything correctly.

    • The author mulled over the idea of self-publishing her novel for several weeks before finally deciding to do it.

      The author thought deeply about the idea of self-publishing her novel for a number of weeks. She was weighing up the pros and cons and considering whether it was the right decision for her.

    • The team mulled over the options for their new marketing campaign, trying to decide which one would be most effective.

      The team were thinking carefully about the possible marketing campaigns for their new product. They were weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each option as they tried to make a decision.

    • After listening to the sales pitch, the customer mulled over the offer for a week before making a decision.

      The customer thought carefully and deeply about the offer presented by the salesperson. They considered the pros and cons of the offer and weighed it against their own needs and preferences. By "mulling over" the offer, they were able to make a more informed and deliberate decision.

    • The boss asked his team to mull over the project ideas and report back with their recommendations.

      The boss requested that his team think carefully and deeply about the project ideas presented, in order to come up with the best possible recommendations. They were not simply being asked to make a quick decision or give an immediate opinion, but instead were being asked to take the time to thoroughly consider the options.

    • The athlete mulled over her strategy for the big game throughout the night, unable to sleep.

      The athlete spent a great deal of time contemplating and planning her strategy for the upcoming game. She thought about every possible scenario and considered all the different variables that could come into play. By "mulling over" her strategy, she was able to come up with a solid and well-thought-out plan that gave her the best possible chance of success.

    • The chef mulled over the menu for the new restaurant, trying to come up with the perfect combination of flavors and dishes.

      The chef spent a great deal of time thinking deeply and carefully about the menu for the new restaurant. She considered the tastes and preferences of her customers, as well as the ingredients that were available to her. By "mulling over" the menu, she was able to come up with a cohesive and well-balanced selection of dishes that were sure to delight her diners.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "mull (something) over" can be used to describe the act of carefully considering or thinking about something, as well as the act of delaying making a decision or taking action on something.

    When someone mulls something over, they are taking the time to think about a decision or a problem carefully before making a final choice or coming to a conclusion. This can involve weighing the pros and cons, considering different options, and reflecting on the potential outcomes.

    Additionally, the idiom can also be used to describe the act of delaying making a decision. In this context, mulling something over means postponing making a decision or taking action on something for a period of time. This can be done in order to gather more information, consult with others, or simply to give oneself more time to think.

    Overall, "mull (something) over" is a versatile idiom that can be used to describe both the act of thinking carefully about something and the act of delaying making a decision.

    Origin of "Mull (something) over"

    The origin of the idiom "mull (something) over" is unclear, but it is thought to have originated from the Middle English word "mullen," meaning to pulverize or soften by mixing with a liquid. This evolved into the Scottish word "mull," which means to grind or crush. Over time, the phrase "mull over" came to mean to consider or think about something carefully.

    The idiom has been used in the English language for centuries, and its origins can be traced back to the early 19th century. It has since become a common expression used to describe the act of carefully considering or thinking about something before making a decision.