give a damn
English
Alternative forms
- (euphemistic) give a darn
- care a damn
Verb
give a damn (third-person singular simple present gives a damn, present participle giving a damn, simple past gave a damn, past participle given a damn)
- (sometimes vulgar, chiefly in the negative, idiomatic, informal) To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:care
- 1994 November 15, “Ode to My Family”, in Dolores O'Riordan (lyrics), Dolores O'Riordan, Noel Hogan (music), No Need to Argue, performed by Dolores O'Riordan:
- Unhappiness where's when I was young / And we didn't give a damn
- 1939 December 15, Sidney Howard, Gone with the Wind, spoken by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), Selznick International Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer:
- Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
- He doesn't give a damn about your child's painting, he's just interested in the gold frame.
- If she actually gave a damn what the law said, she wouldn't have stolen the car in the first place, now would she?
Translations
to be concerned about — see give a shit