give a damn
give a damn — idiom
1. to have no care or interest whatsoever in someone or something — this expression
to have no care or interest whatsoever in someone or something — this expression is almost always used in negative statements to show strong indifference, for example when someone does not care about an opinion, a rule, or another person's feelings.
Diego told his manager he did not give a damn about the dress code, which shocked the whole team.
not give a damn + about + noun phrase
The neighbours asked Sirin to turn down the music, but she did not give a damn and played it even louder.
negative form with 'but' contrast
Abigail doesn't give a damn whether her team wins or loses — she just wants to enjoy the game.
When the landlord raised the rent again, Felix shrugged and said he didn't give a damn.
Tendai told her brother flatly that she did not give a damn about his opinion on her career choices.
- couldn't care less
more common in everyday speech, same meaning and register
- not care a hoot
similar register, slightly less strong and more British
- not give a fig
same register, less common, slightly dated
- care deeply
opposite meaning, formal register
- be concerned about
neutral register, opposite meaning
文法句型
not give a damn + about + noun phrase
not give a damn + whether/if-clause
not give a damn + wh-clause
用法筆記
Almost always used in negative sentences with 'not', 'nobody', or 'never'. Using it in a positive statement ('I give a damn') is extremely rare and only occurs in very emphatic rhetorical contexts or fixed expressions like 'Who gives a damn?'