damn (redirected from I'll be damned if)

damn someone/something with faint praise

to praise something or someone in such a weak way that it is obvious you do not really admire them. She damned Reynolds with faint praise, calling him one of the best imitators in the world.

See also: faint, praise

not give a damn (informal)

to not be interested in or worried about something or someone. He can think what he likes. I don't give a damn. Most companies don't give a damn about the environment. (often + about) I've made my decision and I don't give a damn what they think. (often + question word)

See also: give

not give a tinker's cuss (British & Australian, old-fashioned, American, old-fashioned)

to not be interested in or worried about something or someone. I don't give a tinker's cuss what she thinks, I'll do what I want! (often + question word) He's never given a tinker's damn for me, or for any of the family.

See also: give

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damn it

this is very annoying. No, damn it, you wait a minute. I was thinking, God damn it, the man said he'd write, so why doesn't he send me a letter?

Usage notes: sometimes spelled dammit: But, dammit, what did she expect me to do?

damn (someone/something) with faint praise

to show only slight approval for someone or something. By qualifying his support, you could argue he was damning these leaders with faint praise. Maybe I'm damning them with faint praise, but the Yankees are easier to like than the Atlanta Braves in this series.

See also: faint, praise

give a damn (about someone/something)

to be interested or involved. He sent his son to parochial school because he believes that those schools give a damn.

Usage notes: also used with verbs like could and might to mean someone is not concerned about something: A significant portion of kids in class could give a damn.

See also: give

not give a damn (about someone/something)

to not be interested in someone or something. The beginning was so boring, I really didn't give a damn what happened in the rest of the movie. We didn't give a tinker's damn about justice.

Usage notes: although always suggesting a negative meaning, sometimes used without not: Who really gives a damn about the details?

See also: give

worth a damn

to have value. Kids in this city aren't getting an education that's worth a damn. I haven't asked enough people for my research to be worth a tinker's damn, but everyone I've talked to thinks it's a good idea.

See also: worth