THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
A one-track mind
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
A tendency to think or talk about one subject and little else.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Since planning the trip, I have had a one-track mind about hiking routes.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Since planning the trip, I have had ________ about hiking routes.
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A one-track mind — A tendency to think or talk about one subject and little else.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “A one-track mind” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
A tendency to think or talk about one subject and little else.
Compare: Since planning the trip, I have had a one-track mind about hiking routes.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it informally, often teasingly, when someone returns to the same interest repeatedly. It can sound critical rather than complimentary.
More examples in context
- He has a one-track mind when the football season begins.
- My sister joked that I had a one-track mind because every conversation became about the new bakery.
Usage note
Keep the hyphen in one-track. The expression can have a sexual implication in some contexts; name the topic when you want an innocent meaning to be clear.
A short conversation
A: You have mentioned the gardening show three times at lunch.
B: I know. I have a one-track mind about plants this week.
A: Tell me about your course as well.
One more practice question
Who has a one-track mind about cycling?
A. Someone who discusses many subjects without favouring cycling.
B. Someone who keeps bringing every conversation back to cycling.
Check your answer
B. Their attention repeatedly returns to a single subject.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.