fig

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(not) care a fig

To be concerned about someone or something. Typically used in the negative to convey the opposite. I don't care a fig about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others. I haven't cared a fig for the show ever since they killed off my favorite character. Do whatever you want, I don't care a fig.

(not) give a fig

slang To be concerned about someone or something. Typically used in the negative to convey the opposite. I don't give a fig about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others. I haven't given a fig for the show ever since they killed off my favorite character. Do whatever you want, I don't give a fig.

be not worth a fig

To be unimportant or insignificant. I know you're upset that the decor wasn't exactly as you designed it, but that's not worth a fig when you consider how spectacular the gala was overall.

fig leaf

Something used to hide an embarrassing or shameful problem. In the Bible, Adam and Eve used fig leaves to conceal their genitals after they became ashamed of their nakedness. Gary used humor as a fig leaf to conceal the fact that he was struggling with depression.

give (one) the fig

To insult another person, typically with a rude gesture called the "fig" or "fico" (in which someone puts the thumb between the first two fingers or in the mouth). What are you giving me the fig for, I didn't even say anything insulting!

in full fig

Dressed in fancy or extravagant clothing and accessories. All of a sudden, a group of actors from the musical boarded the train in full fig and began leading the passengers in a rousing rendition of the show's biggest numbers. For her wedding, the bride was dressed like a Disney princess in full fig.

moldy fig

Someone who adopts the puristic stance that the only "true" jazz music occurred during an earlier period of the genre's history, especially before the implementation of sheet music. The term can either be derogatory or used as an identifying term by like-minded purists. Jazz is all about experimentation, evolution, and deviation, man—that's what makes it jazz! Moldy figs like you who think it shouldn't ever change are missing the point! I hope there will forever be a section of moldy figs out there who appreciate the traditional style of jazz that I perform with my bandmates.

not give a damn

rude slang To not care in the slightest (about something or someone); to attach no importance to someone or something. I don't give a damn about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others. I haven't given a damn for the show ever since they killed off my favorite character. Do whatever you want, I don't give a damn.

not give a fig about (someone or something)

To not care about, or have any interest in, someone or something. Jared does not give a fig about wedding planning so his bride-to-be has to make all of the decisions.

not worth a damn

Having no value or integrity; worthless. The company offered vouchers to its employees, but they aren't worth a damn. You've broken your word so many times that your promises aren't worth a damn. My brother gave me his old laptop, but it's not worth a damn anymore.

See also: damn, not, worth

not worth a fig

Unimportant; insignificant. I know you're upset that the decor wasn't exactly as you designed it, but that's not worth a fig when you consider how spectacular the gala was overall.

spell disaster

To indicate, contribute to, or display signs of an impending and severe failure or disaster. The senator's refusal to negotiate spells disaster for the chances of the legislation to pass through both houses of congress. The sudden shortage of precious metals necessary to manufacture the computer chips spelled disaster for the fledgling tech company.

steal the show

To become the main focus of attention or deliver the most captivating performance in the presence of one or more others, typically unexpectedly. The opening band totally stole the show tonight—they were amazing. I'm sorry, I was trying to listen to your speech, but your adorable little sister stole the show when she came prancing out here.

See also: show, steal

steal the spotlight

To garner attention or praise at the expense of someone or something else. My brother is the star athlete of our high school, so no matter what I succeed in, he's constantly stealing the spotlight. We were just about to announce our engagement when Jeff and Tina stole the spotlight and revealed that they were going to have a baby.

syrup of figs

slang A wig. The term comes from rhyming slang in which "figs" rhymes with "wig." (Syrup of figs is a laxative.) Primarily heard in UK. Oh, he's wearing a syrup of figs for sure—there's no way he still has that much hair at his age.

not worth a damn

Inf. worthless. This pen is not worth a damn. When it comes to keeping score, she's not worth a damn.

See also: damn, not, worth

spell disaster Fig.

to indicate or predict disaster. What a horrible plan! It would spell disaster for all of us!

steal the spotlight

and steal the show Fig.

to give the best performance in a show, play, or some other event; to get attention for oneself. The lead in the play was very good, but the butler stole the show. Ann always tries to steal the spotlight when she and I make a presentation.

fig

see under not give a damn.

not give a damn

Also, not give a fig or hang or hoot or rap or shit . Not care about, be indifferent to, as in I don't give a damn about him, or She doesn't give a fig if he comes or not. The nouns in all these terms signify something totally worthless. Although probably in oral use for much longer, damn is first recorded in this negative form in the late 1700s and the worthless item it is used to denigrate is a curse. Fig has denoted something small and worthless since about 1400, and hang since the mid-1800s; hoot has been used for the smallest particle since the later 1800s; rap, also for the smallest particle, since the first half of the 1800s, and shit, for excrement, since about 1920. All but the first of these terms are colloquial and the last (using shit) is vulgar.

not worth a damn

Also, not worth a plugged nickel or red cent or bean or hill of beans or fig or straw or tinker's damn . Worthless, as in That car isn't worth a damn, or My new tennis racket is not worth a plugged nickel. As for the nouns here, a damn or curse is clearly of no great value (also see not give a damn); a plugged nickel in the 1800s referred to a debased five-cent coin; a cent denotes the smallest American coin, which was red when made of pure copper (1800s); a bean has been considered trivial or worthless since the late 1300s (Chaucer so used it), whereas hill of beans alludes to a planting method whereby four or five beans are put in a mound (and still are worthless); and both fig and straw have been items of no worth since about 1400. A tinker's dam, first recorded in 1877, was a wall of dough raised around a spot where a metal pipe is being repaired so as to hold solder in place until it hardens, whereupon the dam is discarded. However, tinker's damn was first recorded in 1839 and probably was merely an intensification of "not worth a damn," rather than having anything to do with the dam.

See also: damn, not, worth

steal the show

Also, steal the spotlight. Be the center of attention, as in The speeches were interesting but Eliza's singing stole the show. This idiom alludes to unexpectedly outshining the rest of the cast in a theatrical production. [First half of 1900s]

See also: show, steal

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

a fig leaf

Something which is intended to hide an embarrassing or awkward situation can be called a fig leaf. The Code of Practice must be enforced, or else it is just a meaningless fig leaf. He said that retaining Stewart in a creative role was a `generous fig leaf that the company gave her'. Note: According to the Bible, when Adam and Eve ate the apple in the Garden of Eden, they realized that they were naked and felt ashamed, so they covered their genitals with fig leaves. (Genesis 3:7)

steal the show

COMMON If someone or something in a show or other event steals the show, they are more impressive or amusing than anyone or anything else and, as a result, get more attention or praise. All three singers gave impressive performances but it was Domingo who stole the show. It's Jack Lemmon who finally steals the show, turning in his finest performance in years. Note: You can describe someone or something that gets more attention than other people or things as a show-stealer. The show-stealer at Citywalk, however, isn't some Hollywood megastar, but a giant gorilla that hangs like King Kong from the front of the store.

See also: show, steal

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

not worth a damn

having no value or validity at all. informal

See also: damn, not, worth

in full fig

wearing the smart clothes appropriate for an event or occasion. informal

Fig in the sense of ‘dress or equipment’ is now used only in this phrase, which was first recorded in the mid 19th century.

not give (or care) a fig

not have the slightest concern about.

Fig was formerly used in a variety of expressions to signify something regarded as valueless or contemptible.

not give a damn (or hoot)

not care at all. informal

1998 Penelope Lively Spiderweb The boys knew that the teachers didn't like them and they didn't give a damn.

steal the show

attract the most attention and praise.

See also: show, steal

steal the ˈshow

attract more attention and praise than other people in a particular situation: Actors don’t like working with animals because they often steal the show.

See also: show, steal

moldy fig

n. an old-fashioned person; a square. Don’t be a moldy fig! Lighten up!

not worth a damn

mod. worthless. When it comes to keeping score, she’s not worth a damn.

See also: damn, not, worth

fig, not care/give/worth a

See not care/give a fig.

not care/give/worth a fig, to

Not care at all, not give a damn. Fig has denoted something worthless since about 1400. Moreover, in Mediterranean countries the sign of the fig is an obscene gesture, made by clenching one’s fist and pushing the thumb between the first and middle fingers. According to John Ciardi, the thumb represents the penis, the fingers the labia, and the gesture means “Fuck you.” Dante so used it in the Inferno section of The Divine Comedy. Centuries later, however, the phrase’s obscene provenance began to be largely ignored, and the cliché survives.