tend to do

tend to

1. To focus or apply one's attention to someone or something; to take care of someone or something. You really need to tend to the lawn—it's getting pretty overgrown! I'm taking some time off of work to tend to my daughter while she is sick.
2. To be inclined or have a tendency to do something. Sarah has a lot more experience than me in this aspect of the business, so I tend to defer to her opinions on such matters. I tend not to believe rumors like these until I see some actual evidence.
See also: tend
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tend to do something

to have a tendency to do something. Jill tends to play with her hair while she works. Sam tends to say things like that when he is upset.
See also: tend
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • be rough on (someone or something)
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
"Girls tend to do more of the slender, delicate cutting across the wrist areas, or they'll cut on the back of their legs, while boys tend to bruise their arms or legs or will burn their arms with cigarettes," says Ponton.
THE CUTTING EDGE
As Showalter argued, refugees from academia tend to do extremely well in a variety of professions.
The Velvet Prison
But on the palette of the world, it's all about human nature; it's all about the things people tend to do when they have a chance to do them.
An interview with Brent Wade
The one fast food chain that does not rely on heavy lunch traffic is Dunkin' Donuts, who tend to do 85 percent of their business before noon.
The pros and cons of fast food tenancy
When the going gets rough, people tend to do what they've always done, but with greater intensity - getting up earlier, working later, and really applying themselves.
Nervous in '98
People and institutions tend to do tomorrow what they did yesterday," argues Spira.
Testing for toxins: environmental and humane groups seek alternatives to animal tests
Consequently, particles nearer the surface are pushed in to the mass of the molding and do not protrude from the surface as untreated particles tend to do. The lubricated surface of treated particles might also account for the improved mold flow observed when polymeric surface treated particulate is used.
Recycling rubber products sensibly