To alter one's opinion, decision, or intention about something; to reconsider and reach a different conclusion.
This phrase developed in the 14th century from the concept of 'mind' as the seat of decision-making. The verb 'change' from Old French 'changier' combined with 'mind' to create this expression that treats thoughts and decisions as malleable objects that can be transformed.
The beauty of this phrase lies in its implicit acceptance of human fallibility and growth - it normalizes the idea that changing one's position is not weakness but wisdom. Neuroscience now shows that our brains are literally rewired when we genuinely change our minds, making this metaphor surprisingly accurate.
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