don't sweat it

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   Used to tell someone not to worry or get upset about something that is not serious.

   Grammar: Spoken as an imperative: don't sweat it; the verb does not change.

   Patterns

   • don't sweat it
   • don't sweat the small stuff

   You missed one call? Don't sweat it, I'll phone them later.

   Don't sweat it, everybody makes mistakes on the first day.

   The test is only practice, so don't sweat it.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   Used to politely say that an apology or favor was no trouble at all.

   Grammar: Often a quick reply to thanks or sorry.

   Patterns

   • don't sweat it

   Thanks for covering my shift! Don't sweat it, happy to help.

   Sorry I'm late. Don't sweat it, we just started.

   I forgot your book. Don't sweat it, bring it next week.

Common combinations

don't sweat the small stuff

My motto is: don't sweat the small stuff.

no need to sweat it

There's no need to sweat it, we have time.

told me not to sweat it

My coach told me not to sweat it.

sweat it out

I just had to sweat it out and wait for the results.

Synonyms and how they differ

no worries

No worries is a very common, relaxed reply that is slightly more Australian and British in flavor.

never mind

Never mind can sound dismissive, while don't sweat it sounds friendly and reassuring.

relax

Relax is more direct and can be irritating if said to an anxious person.

it's fine

It's fine is neutral and plain, with less warmth than don't sweat it.

Opposites

Word family

sweat verb

to worry intensely about something, informally

sweat noun

moisture produced by the skin

no sweat phrase

no problem or no difficulty

sweaty adjective

covered in or smelling of sweat

Commonly confused: don't sweat it or sweat it out?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “don't sweat it”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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