Meaning & use
give a fig
Last updated
Meaning
phrasetransitiveold-fashionedinformal
To care about something at all; used mainly in the negative to say someone does not care.
Grammar: Almost always in negative sentences: not give a fig. Takes an object: not give a fig about something.
Patterns
- not give a fig
- not give a fig about something
He doesn't give a fig about what others think.
I don't give a fig for their opinions.
She didn't give a fig whether we stayed or left.
Word forms
| third person singular | gives a fig |
|---|---|
| past tense | gave a fig |
| past participle | given a fig |
| -ing form | giving a fig |
Common combinations
- not give a fig about
- She doesn't give a fig about fashion.
- not give a fig for
- I don't give a fig for their rules.
- not give a fig whether
- He doesn't give a fig whether we win or lose.
Synonyms and how they differ
- not care less
- More common in modern English and slightly stronger; 'not give a fig' sounds old-fashioned.
- not give a damn
- Much stronger and informal; 'not give a fig' is milder and less offensive.
Commonly confused: give a fig or fig?
give a fig vs fig
A sweet fruit; the phrase 'give a fig' uses 'fig' as a symbol of something small or worthless.
Practice
He ______ about the criticism and continued with his work.
Choose one answer.
The phrase is 'not give a fig about something'. 'For' is possible in some contexts but less common; 'to' and 'on' are incorrect prepositions here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “give a fig”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.