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Meaning & use

couldn't care less

phrase·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˌkʊdnt keə ˈles/
US/ˌkʊdnt ker ˈles/

Meanings

  1. phraseidiominformal

    Used to say that something does not matter to you at all and you have no interest in it.

    Grammar: Often followed by about: I couldn't care less about the score. The subject can change: she couldn't care less.

    Patterns

    • couldn't care less about something
    • couldn't care less what/whether/who ...

    I couldn't care less about the football results.

    He couldn't care less what people think of his haircut.

    Honestly, they couldn't care less whether we win or lose.

  2. phraseidiominformaldisapproving

    Used to describe someone who is completely careless or unconcerned about other people or their duties.

    Grammar: Can be said as a general description: he acts as if he couldn't care less.

    Patterns

    • act as if you couldn't care less

    The manager arrived late again, looking as though he couldn't care less.

    She shrugged and walked away as if she couldn't care less.

    Why do you always act like you couldn't care less?

Common combinations

honestly couldn't care less
I honestly couldn't care less who wins the contest.
couldn't care less about the result
He couldn't care less about the result of the vote.
act as if you couldn't care less
Don't act as if you couldn't care less when I'm talking to you.
couldn't care less who
They couldn't care less who is in charge.
seem to couldn't care less
The teenagers looked like they couldn't care less about the lesson.

Synonyms and how they differ

don't mind
This is milder and can mean you accept either option calmly, whereas couldn't care less says you have no interest and often sounds dismissive.
be indifferent
This is more formal and neutral, whereas couldn't care less is casual and often rude.
don't give a hoot
This is a more playful, old-fashioned way to say the same thing and sounds lighter than couldn't care less.
be apathetic
This describes a general lack of interest or energy over time, while couldn't care less usually reacts to one particular matter.

Opposites

care deeplybe concerned

Word family

care verb
to feel concern or interest
careless adjective
not paying attention to what you do
carefree adjective
without worries
caring adjective
showing kindness and concern for others

Commonly confused: couldn't care less or could care less?

couldn't care less vs could care less

This is a common American variant used with the same meaning, but it is literally illogical and many people consider it a mistake. Use couldn't care less in careful writing.

Practice

My brother ___ about the party; he told me he would rather stay home and read.

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