tinker (redirected from tinkering)

not give a tinker's damn

Fig. not to care at all. (A tinker's damn or dam may be a worthless curse from a tinker or a small dam or barrier used to contain molten metal.) I don't give a tinker's damn whether you go or not!

See also: damn, give

tinker (around) (with something)

to meddle with something; to play with something, trying to get it to work or work better. Let me tinker around with it for a while and see if I can get it to work. Please don't tinker with the controls.

---

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

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

See also: cuss, give

---

not give a damn (about somebody/something) (slang) also not give a tinker's damn (about somebody/something)

to not be interested in someone or something not give a shit (about somebody/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: damn, give

worth a damn (slang) also worth a tinker's 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: damn, worth