English Idioms

Mull Over

Meaning:

• think about something carefully

Frequency of Use: Medium

1. I want to mull things over before I make a decision about the job.
2. Right now, Maria is mulling over the possibility of visiting Europe this summer.
3. Have you been mulling over my proposal to start a business together?
4. I suggest not buying that new car until you mull over the challenge of paying for it.

1. What things should you mull over before you choose a college major, a future job, or a partner?

You work for the government as a computer specialist, and you have been invited to work overseas for two years in a number of different countries. The salary and benefits of the job are excellent. In fact, the government will pay you three times the amount you make now. Unfortunately, you can’t take your wife and two young children because of the nature of the job, and you would only be able to see them twice a year for a couple of weeks. The government has given you a week to mull things over before you have to give your decision. Therefore, what things do you need to consider (or mull over) as part of this process?

Possible Answer: 

“First, I write down the advantages and disadvantages of working overseas without my family.”

Sometimes, learners know the meaning of an idiom, but they don’t know how to use it correctly in conversation or writing. Thus, this activity checks your grammatical accuracy with the idiom so you become more confident in using it.