mind the store

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mind the store (third-person singular simple present minds the store, present participle minding the store, simple past and past participle minded the store)

1. (literally) To remain present in a retail business, in order to maintain the security of the premises and to serve customers.
   • 1986, Clara Herron, "1790 homestead shelters shops," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 13 Feb., p. 17 (retrieved 16 Sep. 2008):

     His mother, Ruth Jones, helps mind the store and both his wife, Michelle, and his father, James Jones, make gifts to sell in the shop.

2. (idiomatic, by extension) To take active responsibility for a group or process, especially within an organization.
   • 2005 Sept. 18, Daniel Eisenberg, "How to Spend (Almost) $1 Billion A Day," Time:

     The Administration and Congress have had to prove they are at least attempting to mind the store.

• mind the shop