worry
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what, me worry
Said to emphasize one's calm, perhaps cavalier, attitude. The phrase is most often associated with Mad magazine and its cartoon cover boy Alfred E. Neuman. A: "I can't believe you're so unconcerned with all the problems in the world today." B: "What, me worry?"
See also: worry
worried sick
Very concerned or anxious about a person or situation. The next time you're going to be this late getting home, please call me, because I was worried sick! Your father is worried sick about what this merger will mean for his job.
don't worry (about a thing)
Don't stress about a particular thing or situation. Don't worry about a thing, Mrs. Jones—Maia and I will have a fine time playing dress-up while you and your husband are at the movies.
See also: worry
don't worry your (pretty little) head about it
Don't stress about a particular thing or situation. This phrase is usually conveys annoyance or condescension. Oh, don't worry your pretty little head about it—I'll just cook dinner like I always do.
no problem
1. noun Not something difficult to handle or deal with; not a problem or difficulty. The repair should be no problem—just replace the belt and that's it. Picking you up was no problem. Don't even mention it.
2. expression That is not a problem; don't worry about it. A: "It looks like the file was deleted when the computer crashed." B: "No problem, there should be a backup copy."
3. expression I would be happy to. A: "Would you mind emptying the dishwasher for me?" B: "Sure, no problem."
no worries
1. That is not a problem; don't worry about it. A: "It looks like the file was deleted when the computer crashed." B: "No worries, there should be a backup copy." A: "Sorry about last night, I was out of line." B: "No worries, man. I know you didn't mean it."
2. I would be happy to. A: "Would you mind emptying the dishwasher for me?" B: "Sure, no worries."
not to worry
1. That is not a problem; don't worry about it. A: "It looks like the file was deleted when the computer crashed." B: "No to worry, there should be a backup copy."
2. I would be happy to. A: "Would you mind emptying the dishwasher for me?" B: "Sure, not to worry."
you had me worried
I was momentarily shocked or nervous because I did not fully understand what you said. Oh, you had me worried there. I thought you were about to propose to me for a minute!
See also: worry
you should worry!
There's absolutely no reason for you to be worried. A: "I just feel like I could get fired at any moment." B: "You should worry! The boss just gave you a promotion, why would he turn around and fire you?"
See also: should
Don't worry (about a thing).
Do not become anxious about something.;Everything will be all right. "Don't worry, Fred,"comforted Bill, "everything will be all right." Bill:I think I left the car windows open. Sue: Don't worry, I closed them. "Don't worry about a thing," the tax collector had said. "We'll take care of everything." Or was it "We'll take everything? "
See also: worry
Don't worry your (pretty little) head about it.
Rur. Do not worry about it. (Said condescendingly, and can cause offense.) Mary: How are you going to get another job if you don't start looking for one? Tom: Now don't worry your pretty little head about it. Just leave it to me. Tom: What are we going to do if we can't find an apartment? Sally: Don't worry your head about it. We 'll find one, one way or another.
It is not work that kills, but worry.
Prov. Working hard will not hurt you, but worrying too much is bad for your health. Nancy: You've been working so many hours every day, I'm afraid you'll get sick. Bill: It's not work that kills, but worry.
Not to worry.
Inf. Please do not worry. Bill: The rain is going to soak all our clothes. Tom: Not to worry, I put them all in plastic bags. Sue: I think we're about to run out of money. Bill: Not to worry. I have some more travelers checks.
(that causes) no problem
That will not cause a problem for me or anyone else. (No problem is informal.) Mary: Do you mind waiting for just a little while? Bob: No problem. Sue: Does this block your light? Can you still read? Jane: That causes no problem.
worried sick (about someone or something)
very worried or anxious about someone or something. Oh, thank heavens you are all right. We were worried sick about you!
worry about someone or something
to fret or be anxious about the welfare of someone or something. Please don't worry about me. I'll be all right. Don't worry about the bill. I'll pay it.
See also: worry
worry an animal out of something
to pester an animal until it leaves something or some place. The cat finally worried the mouse out of its hole and caught it. We worried the squirrel out of the attic by making lots of noise.
worry oneself about someone or something
to allow oneself to fret or become anxious about someone or something. Please don't worry yourself about me. I'll be all right. There is no need for Karen to worry herself about this.
See also: worry
worry over someone or something
to fret or be anxious about someone or something. She worried over dinner, but it came out all right. Jerry is worried over his daughter, Alice.
worry something out of someone
to annoy some information out of someone. They finally worried the correct number out of me. You can't worry the information out of her. It will require force.
worry through something
to think and fret through a problem. I can't talk to you now. I have to worry through this tax problem. We worried through the financial problem over a three-day period.
no problem
1. Also, no sweat; not to worry. There's no difficulty about this, don't concern yourself. For example, Of course I can change your tire-no problem, or You want more small change? no sweat, or We'll be there in plenty of time, not to worry. The first of these colloquial terms dates from about 1960 and the second from about 1950. The third, originating in Britain in the 1930s and using not to with the sense of "don't," crossed the Atlantic in the 1970s.
2. You're welcome, as in Thanks for the ride, Dad.-No problem. [Late 1900s]
worried sick
Also, worried to death. Extremely anxious, as in Her parents were worried sick when she didn't come home all night, or We've been worried to death about the drop in the stock market. These somewhat hyperbolic phrases (one could conceivably feel ill from worrying but would hardly die from it) date from the second half of the 1800s.
no worries
COMMON People say no worries to mean that something will not be difficult for them, or to say to someone who has apologized that they do not mind what they have done. I can handle the production side of things, no worries. `Could you help me with these bags?' — `Sure, no worries.' `Sorry I spilled your drink.' — `No worries, there's plenty more.'
no worries
all right; fine. informalno problem
used to express agreement or acquiescence.worried sick
so anxious as to make yourself ill.not to worry
used to reassure someone by telling them that a situation is not serious.no ˈproblem
(spoken, informal)1 (also not a ˈproblem) used for saying that you can do something or are happy to do something for somebody: ‘Can you be here at 7.30 tomorrow morning?’ ‘No problem.’
2 used after somebody has thanked you or said they are sorry for something: ‘Thanks for the ride.’ ‘No problem.’
be worried ˈsick
,be sick with ˈworry
be extremely worried: Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you.you had me ˈworried
(spoken) used to tell somebody that you were worried because you did not understand what they said correctly: You had me worried for a moment — I thought you were going to resign!See also: worry
ˈno worries!
(especially AustralE, informal) it’s not a problem; it’s all right (often used as a reply when somebody thanks you for something): ‘Could you help me with this?’ ‘Sure, no worries.’See also: no
ˌnot to ˈworry
(informal, especially British English) it is not important; it does not matter: ‘Oh, damn! We’ve missed the train!’ ‘Not to worry. There’ll be another one in five minutes.’ˈyou should worry!
(informal) used for telling somebody that they have no need to worry: You think you’re going to fail the exam! You should worry! You’re the best in the class.See also: should
No problem
1. and No prob and NP phr. All is well.; There is no problem, so don’t worry or fret. (Often said after someone else says I’m sorry.) No problem. I can do it easily. A: Gee! I’m sorry! B: No prob.
2. phr. you are welcome. (Sometimes said after someone else says thank you.) A: Thanks a lot. B: No problem.
Not to worry
phr. Don’t worry. You lost your ticket? Not to worry. I’ll give you mine.
worry wart
n. someone who worries all the time. Don’t be such a worry wart.
no problem
1. Used to express confirmation of or compliance with a request.
2. Used to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.
not to worry
Informal There is nothing to worry about; there is no need to be concerned: "But not to worry: it all ... falls into place in the book's second half, where the language is plainer" (Hallowell Bowser).
no problem
That’s fine; you’re welcome; I’d be glad to help. This conventional reply expressing acquiescence and other positive feelings originated in America in the mid-twentieth century. It also has taken hold in numerous parts of the non-English-speaking world; the author has heard it in France, Austria, Yugoslavia, and Singapore from individuals who otherwise knew almost no English (other than “okay”). Others report having heard it in Russia, where it is often used ironically, Kenya, and China. In Australia, however, it alternates with no worries (probably from the 1930s British locution, not to worry). The journal American Speech recorded “no problem” in 1963 as an equivalent of no sweat. The OED’s citations include Martin Amis’s Rachel Papers (1973): “He . . . gave it back to me, saying ‘No problem’ again through his nose.” It has quickly become as ubiquitous and as divorced from the words’ original meaning (i.e., “there is no difficulty”) as have a nice day and take care. Indeed, Pico Iyer pointed out that today “ ‘No problem’ . . . in every language means that your problems are just beginning” (Time, July 2, 1990).
worry wart
A person who agonizes unduly, anticipating failure or disaster or other misfortune. This slangy term, also spelled worrywart, dates from about 1930. For example, “‘So who’s alarmed?’ I asked. . . . ‘You were, Mr. Worrywart. You saw the Health truck outside and what did you think? Sickness’” (James Patterson, London Bridges, 2004). See also nervous Nellie.