(keep/have) a closed mind
Meaning(s)
1. be unwilling to entertain or accept new ideas or beliefs, be averse to challenging your preconceptions
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Low
Social
How to Memorize
a closed-minded person is difficult to deal with
Analysis
Unlike the expression '(keep/have) an open mind', you wouldn't really instruct someone to 'keep' a closed mind, as this is generally seen as a negative trait. However, you can say that someone keeps or kept a closed mind. Generally speaking, a person who is unwilling to listen to anyone talk about other possibilities or truths - especially in relation to religion or science - is said to be closed-minded. Although the phrasal adjective 'closed-minded' - describing someone's behaviour - is correct and makes more sense, you will often see it spelled 'close-minded'. This expression is not as popular as its antonym (opposite) '(keep/have) an open mind', as most English speakers would describe a closed-minded person by saying they are 'not very open-minded'.
Social Examples (Advance)
- You need to think outside the box for this project. If you have a closed mind, you won't make any progress.
- Being aware of your unconscious biases prevents you from having a closed mind when it comes to making a number of decisions.
- My parents have a closed mind when it comes to liberal politics.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- Okay, everyone, get your thinking caps on. I don't want anyone to have a closed mind on this one, because we need new ideas.
- We are bringing in a games specialist as I have found we have had a bit of a closed mind in our approaches to this problem.
- Some cultures have more of a closed mind when it comes to unconventional approaches.