Meaning & use
mull it over
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiom
to spend time thinking carefully about something before deciding what to do
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the pronoun 'it' stays fixed between 'mull' and 'over'.
Patterns
- mull it over
- mull something over
- mull over something
I'll mull it over and let you know my decision tomorrow.
She mulled it over for a week before accepting the job offer.
Take your time and mull it over — there's no rush.
phraseidiom
to think about a piece of information again in order to understand it better
Grammar: Often used when someone needs more time to process news or advice.
Patterns
- mull it over
- mull something over
He mulled over what she had said and realized she was right.
Give me a day to mull it over, and I'll get back to you.
Common combinations
- mull it over carefully
- She mulled it over carefully before signing the contract.
- take time to mull it over
- Take time to mull it over; it's a big decision.
- mull it over for a while
- We mulled it over for a while and finally said yes.
- mull over a decision
- He needed a few days to mull over the decision.
- mull over an offer
- She is still mulling over the offer from the other company.
Synonyms and how they differ
- consider
- More formal and general; you can consider something quickly, while mulling it over suggests unhurried thought over time.
- ponder
- More literary and often used for deep or serious questions; mull it over is more everyday and decision-focused.
- think about
- The most neutral choice; mull it over adds the idea of taking your time before deciding.
- weigh
- Suggests comparing options or pros and cons, while mull it over is simply thinking something through.
Opposites
Word family
- mull verb
- to think about something carefully, usually followed by 'over'.
Commonly confused: mull it over or mule? mull it over or mull over?
mull it over vs mule
A mule is an animal; mull is the verb in this phrase. They sound similar but are unrelated.
mull it over vs mull over
The same idea but without the pronoun 'it'; 'mull over' needs a noun object, as in 'mull over the offer'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'mull it over' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase keeps 'it' between 'mull' and 'over'. Option 1 is the standard order; option 2 is possible in some contexts but less natural, and options 3 and 4 break the phrase apart incorrectly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mull it over”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.