get your mind right
Straighten up your attitude and start thinking straight.
Also called gettin' your mind right.
Updated September 21, 2026
get your mind right pronunciation
/git yer MAHYND rite/
Meaning
A Southern shove to fix your head. Daddy says it when you're mouthing off. A coach says it before kickoff. It can mean calm down, quit acting a fool, or get serious about what you're doing. Tone decides whether it is tough love or a real warning.
How folks use it
- “Boy, you better get your mind right before you walk in that house.”
- “Y'all get your mind right. We got work to finish before dark.”
Origin and etymology
Older American talk about attitude and discipline, with strong Southern and South Midland use. The 1967 film Cool Hand Luke made "get your mind right" famous nationwide, but coaches, parents, and porch talk in the rural South were already leaning on the idea of straightening somebody out.
Frequently asked questions
Is this only from Cool Hand Luke?
The movie made it famous, but Southern folks use it as regular scolding and coaching talk too.