Meaning & use
my mantra
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
a short phrase or rule that you repeat to yourself to guide your behavior or attitude
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase, often with 'is' or 'became': 'My mantra is...' It can also be used about other people: 'Her mantra is...'
Patterns
- my mantra is ...
- repeat my mantra
- make something my mantra
My mantra is 'one thing at a time' when I feel stressed.
She repeats her mantra every morning before work.
After the accident, 'be grateful' became my mantra.
nouncountablereligion
a word or sound repeated in meditation or prayer in some religions, especially Hinduism and Buddhism
Grammar: Countable: 'a mantra', 'mantras'. Often used with 'repeat' or 'chant'.
Patterns
- repeat a mantra
- chant a mantra
- a sacred mantra
The monks chanted a mantra for peace.
In meditation, you might repeat a mantra silently to yourself.
Word forms
| plural | mantras |
|---|
Common combinations
- repeat a mantra
- He repeats the same mantra before every game.
- become someone's mantra
- 'Keep it simple' became her mantra.
- a personal mantra
- Find a personal mantra that helps you stay calm.
- chant a mantra
- The group chanted a mantra together.
Synonyms and how they differ
- slogan
- A slogan is a short phrase used in advertising or politics to attract attention, not a personal rule you repeat.
- motto
- A motto is a short phrase that expresses the aims of a group or person; it is similar but often more official or permanent than a personal mantra.
- saying
- A saying is a well-known traditional phrase, while a mantra is something you repeat yourself for focus or motivation.
Commonly confused: my mantra or mantel? my mantra or manta?
my mantra vs mantel
A mantel is the shelf above a fireplace. 'Mantra' is a repeated word or phrase.
my mantra vs manta
A manta is a large ray fish. 'Mantra' is a word or phrase.
Practice
What does 'my mantra' most often mean in everyday conversation?
Choose one answer.
In everyday English, 'my mantra' means a phrase or rule you repeat to yourself for focus or motivation. Option An is too narrow (that is one religious sense), option C describes a shopping list, and option D describes a promise, not a repeated phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “my mantra”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.