[Vocabulary] use your brain or use your brains

[Evaviva]

While learning English, especially doing the exercises, I am often got confused about the noun form:shock::?:---whether singular or plural. Like this one " use your brain" , is it interchangeable with "use your brains" ? I have looked up the dictionaries and found two slightly different definitions.
In Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English with Chinese Translation, it is defined like this" (colloq, usu sing) mind; intellect: have a good ~; use one's ~
In Langman Dictionary of American English, I have " n. (plural) the ability to think clearly and learn quickly; Use your brains, Vernorica.
So are they different just for American English and British English? Please give me some help. I look forward to any of your ideas. Thanks ~

 

[Tdol]

They're both possible. I think use your brain might be a bit more direct, even ruder, as an instruction.

 

[MikeNewYork]

While learning English, especially doing the exercises, I am often got confused about the noun form:shock::?:---whether singular or plural. Like this one " use your brain" , is it interchangeable with "use your brains" ? I have looked up the dictionaries and found two slightly different definitions.
In Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English with Chinese Translation, it is defined like this" (colloq, usu sing) mind; intellect: have a good ~; use one's ~
In Langman Dictionary of American English, I have " n. (plural) the ability to think clearly and learn quickly; Use your brains, Vernorica.
So are they different just for American English and British English? Please give me some help. I look forward to any of your ideas. Thanks ~

"Use your brain" or "use your brains" are both used.

 

[emsr2d2]

If we say "Use your brain", we are referring to the body part, the jelly-like mass of neurons contained in your head.
If we say "Use your brains", we mean "Think" or "Use your intelligence".

Of course, the result is the same - you have to use your brain in order to use your intelligence.

 

[MikeNewYork]

If we say "Use your brain", we are referring to the body part, the jelly-like mass of neurons contained in your head.
If we say "Use your brains", we mean "Think" or "Use your intelligence".

Of course, the result is the same - you have to use your brain in order to use your intelligence.

I find the expressions equivalent, even though we have but one brain..

 

[emsr2d2]

I find the expressions equivalent, even though we have but one brain..

I agree, that's why I said the result was the same. However, the word "brain" is usually associated with the body part and "brains" means intelligence.

 

[Evaviva]

Thanks a lot. I now completely understand.:-D