have a mind of one's own

present singular third person has a mind of one's own · participle present having a mind of one's own · participle past had a mind of one's own · past had a mind of one's own

1. idiomaticTo form one's personal opinions and choose one's actions without being governed by the views or choices of others; to be independently minded; to think for oneself.

   Be a little audacious — disagree on at least one thing so they know you have a mind of your own.

   2003 February 10, Alison Maxwell, “How to marry your own millionaire”, in USA Today, retrieved 03 Nov 2010

   4 more examples

   "Don't be anxious, daddy!" said he, with assumed playfulness; "she's not a girl to take the first that offers. She has a mind of her own."

   1866, Bayard Taylor, chapter 4, in The Story of Kennett

   Captain Evans had a mind of his own, and did not choose to adopt any man's judgment or prejudices blindly.

   1874, Horatio Alger, chapter 25, in Brave and Bold

   That little man has a mind of his own, and even if I do figure on his payroll as confidential secretary, he doesn't tell me everything he knows.

   1921, Louis Joseph Vance, chapter 22, in Alias The Lone Wolf

   The committee, under Lord Coleraine, its Chairman, has a mind of its own, and is not deterred by argument where it is convinced that it has a good case.

   1957 August 28, “The Central Transport Consultative Committee”, in Railway Magazine, page 582

2. To seem to possess animate qualities or a conscious will, especially a will to misbehave.

   I'm trying to follow the dance steps, but my feet have minds of their own.

   1 more example

   This washing machine never sticks to the programmed cycle. It has a mind of its own.