Idioms

caring

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(not) care a hoot

slang To (not) be concerned about someone or something. Most commonly used in negative constructions. I don't care a hoot about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others. I haven't cared a hoot for the show ever since they killed off my favorite character. Do whatever you want, I don't care a hoot.
See also: care, hoot

(not) care a toss

slang To (not) be concerned about someone or something. Most commonly used in negative constructions. Primarily heard in UK. I don't care a toss about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others. I haven't cared a toss for the show ever since they killed off my favorite character. Do whatever you want, I don't care a toss.
See also: care, toss

(way) past caring

No longer giving any of one's attention, focus, or concern to or about someone or something. A: "Samantha said another awful thing about you today." B: "I'm way past caring, to be honest. She's just looking for attention at this point, and it isn't worth it." I'm past caring what happens to my career at the end of this trial—I just want the whole thing to be over. I'm bad at math, and I had an especially hard time with it this semester, so I'm past caring about my grade in this class—I know I'm doomed.
See also: caring, past

be beyond caring

To be unable or unwilling to devote more time and attention to a particular person or issue. Give him anything he wants in the divorce settlement—I'm just beyond caring anymore. I'm a senior now, so I'm beyond caring about what the catty girls at school say. I was upset about the situation at first, but it has become so drawn out that I'm beyond caring at this point.
See also: beyond, caring

be past caring

To be unable or unwilling to devote more time and attention to a particular person or issue. Give him anything he wants in the divorce settlement—I'm just past caring anymore. A: "Samantha said another awful thing about you today." B: "I'm way past caring, to be honest. She's just looking for attention at this point, and it isn't worth it." I'm past caring what happens to my career at the end of this trial—I just want the whole thing to be over.
See also: caring, past

beyond caring

Unable or unwilling to devote more time and attention to a particular person or issue. Give him anything he wants in the divorce settlement—I'm just beyond caring anymore. I'm a senior now, so I'm beyond caring about what the catty girls at school say. I was upset about the situation at first, but it has become so drawn out that I'm beyond caring at this point.
See also: beyond, caring

care a button

To care about something in any way at all. Usually used in negative constructions to mean the opposite. I don't care a button about his status in the community! He's a selfish fool, and someone has to tell him so! Does Elsa care a button for our plans? No, I don't think she does! I don't care a button what her excuse is—we need those flowers by 11:00 AM, and that's final.
See also: button, care

care a fuck

rude slang To care or be concerned about someone or something. Usually used in negative constructions to mean the opposite. My mom keeps telling me that this color is too bright for a bedroom, but I don't care a fuck—I love it! Who cares a fuck what they want? You need to do what makes you happy! I don't care a fuck what her excuse is—we need those flowers by 11:00 AM, and that's final.
See also: care, fuck

care a fuck about (someone or something)

rude slang To care or be concerned about someone or something. Usually used in negative constructions to mean the opposite. My mom keeps telling me that this color is too bright for a bedroom, but I love it, and I don't care a fuck about what she thinks. Who cares a fuck about what they want? You need to do what makes you happy! I don't care a fuck about her sudden—and very convenient—"personal issues." We need those flowers by 11:00 AM, and that's final!
See also: care, fuck

care a jackstraw

To care about something in any way at all. Usually used in negative constructions to mean the opposite. I don't care a jackstraw about his status in the community! He's a selfish fool, and someone has to tell him so! Does Elsa care a jackstraw for our plans? No, I don't think she does! I don't care a jackstraw what her excuse is—we need those flowers by 11:00 AM, and that's final.
See also: care

care for (someone or something)

1. To act as a caretaker for someone or something. We need to hire a nurse to care for Grandpa when he gets out of the hospital. Judging by the overgrown weeds and broken shutters, no one has been caring for this house. After our parents died, I became the one to care for my siblings.
2. To have a strong feeling of love or affection for someone or something; to cherish someone or something. There is nothing I care for more than my children. Yeah, I loved that doll when I was three, but I don't care for it anymore, so feel free to sell it at the garage sale. I do care for Bryan! I don't want to break up, but I just don't think our relationship is going anywhere.
3. To like someone or something. Often used in the negative to mean the opposite. I know you don't care for asparagus, so I made string beans instead. A: "Heather's going to be there? Ugh, I don't really care for her." B: "Yeah, she always struck me as a gossip." I don't really care for bananas—that mushy texture just grosses me out.
See also: care, for

care to (do something)

1. To be interested in doing a particular action or activity. Often used in the negative to mean the opposite. No thanks, I don't care to jog today—my legs still hurt from yesterday's trip to the gym. I know you don't care to cook, but you really can't keep spending so much money on takeout. Sports aren't really my thing, so no, I don't care to go with you to the hockey game.
2. Would you like to (do a particular action or activity)? I'm going out for a jog—care to join me? A: "Care to come to the mall with me?" B: "On Christmas Eve? No way." A: "Care to meet me in the library after class?" B: "And do homework on a Friday afternoon? No thanks."
See also: care, to

know little and care less (about someone or something)

To have very little knowledge and absolutely no concern about someone or something. A: "Don't you have any family who would take you in?" A: "I had a half-brother who lived upstate, but the last time I checked, he knew little and cared less about what happens to me."
See also: and, care, know, less, little, someone

know nothing and care less (about someone or something)

To have very little knowledge and absolutely no concern about someone or something. A: "Don't you have any family who would take you in?" A: "I had a half-brother who lived upstate, but the last time I checked, he knew nothing and cared less about what happens to me."
See also: and, care, know, less, nothing, someone

sharing is caring

A phrase used to emphasize the value in or importance of sharing something with others. Used especially by or as a lesson to young children. You've got gummy worms? Come on, sharing is caring! Now, now, boys, please don't fight over the toy—take turns. Sharing is caring, remember?
See also: caring, share
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

past caring

Fig. [of someone] beyond caring about someone or something that is hopeless. I don't care what you do! I'm past caring!
See also: caring, past
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

be beyond/past ˈcaring (about something)

have reached a stage where you no longer care about or are no longer affected by something: She can’t hurt him now because he’s beyond caring about what she says.
See also: beyond, caring, past
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
The availability of public assistance funds spurred the transformation of the traditional patterns of caring for aged parents and relatives.
McGibony wrote, "We cannot rely to any great extent on philanthropies or other charitable resources to take up much more of the load in caring for the aged.
Several possible solutions might alleviate the growing need for facilities caring for the aged, according to McGibony.
It is obvious from these accounts written during the 1950s that, while long-term care still had some problems in terms of standardization and regulation, at least those concerned with the care of the elderly and disabled were getting their message out: that it was becoming less and less acceptable to simply park the elderly wherever a bed could be found and call it "caring."
Some unmistakable trends are obvious when one looks at the past 100 years of long-term care--and one pattern stands out above them all: Change has never come easily--or quickly--when this country has addressed housing and caring for its elderly citizens.
Studies have shown that nurses spend a considerable amount of their time in activities other than caring for patients.
What is required is caring enough to reach out with care that is accepted by the patient.
Limiting the utilization of resources in caring for a no-pay (or low-pay) patient will limit the losses incurred in such care.
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