care

not care/give a fig (old-fashioned)

if you say that you don't care a fig, you mean that something or someone is not important to you at all. They can say what they like, I don't give a fig.

See also: fig, give

not care/give a hoot (informal, informal)

if you do not give a hoot about something or someone, you do not care about them at all. I don't give a hoot about keeping the house tidy. (often + about) They don't care two hoots who wins as long as it's a good game. (often + question word)

See also: give, hoot

not care/give a toss (British, informal)

to not be worried about or interested in someone or something. She can say what she likes, I don't give a toss what she thinks. (often + question word) He's only interested in himself, he doesn't care a toss about his family. (often + about)

See also: give, toss

not care/give tuppence (British & Australian, old-fashioned)

to not care about something or someone in any way. She doesn't give tuppence for her family. (often + for) You can do what you like. I don't care tuppence.

See also: give

devil-may-care (old-fashioned)

relaxed and not worried about the results of your actions. He had a rather devil-may-care attitude towards money which impressed me at the time.

for all someone cares (informal)

if you say that someone can do something unpleasant for all you care, you mean that you do not care about what happens to them. She can go to hell for all I care.

See also: all

not have a care in the world

to be completely happy and not have any worries. I was sixteen years old and didn't have a care in the world. He was walking along the street whistling, looking as if he didn't have a care in the world.

See also: world

have the cares/weight of the world on your shoulders

if you look or feel as if you have the cares of the world on your shoulders, you look or feel very worried or sad. I've never seen such a change in anyone. He looks as if he's got the cares of the world on his shoulders.

See also: shoulder, weight, world

without a care in the world

not have a care in the world - to be completely happy and not have any worries. This time last week I was lying on a sunny beach without a care in the world.

See also: without, world

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someone couldn't care less

someone does not care at all. Most fans couldn't care less about it.

See also: couldn't, less

take care (of yourself)

goodbye. “It was nice talking with you.” “It was nice talking to you, too.” “Okay, take care.” “Good-bye,” she said to him, “take care of yourself.”

Usage notes: usually said as part of ending a conversation

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of take care (= be careful)

See also: take

take care of someone/something

1. to be responsible for someone or something. Our parents spent a lot of time taking care of us when we were young. My mother-in-law fell and could not take care of herself anymore. My wife takes care of paying the bills.

2. to deal with a difficult situation or person. I was forced to take care of all the financial reports, lawyers, and contracts. The principal usually takes care of students who won't follow the rules.

look after someone/something

See also: take

who cares?

I am not interested in or upset by something because it is not important. I overslept and missed the class, but who cares?

See also: who