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Glite Dictionary
don't sweat it

don't sweat it

32 7.4
Tell someone not to worry because it is not a problem
  • idiom
  • Informal
: no te preocupes
  • You're worried about the exam, but don't sweat it; you've studied hard.
  • don't sweat it," he said

If there's some hang up in the science, don't, don't sweat it, OK?

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Examples

Synonyms

never mind
vsdon't sweat it
334 2.7

Telling someone not to worry and to forget what you said

leans more toward offering comfort than asking to ignore something
no worries
vsdon't sweat it
  • Informal
84 6.6

A friendly reply that tells someone there is no problem

is a direct informal way to tell someone not to worry
no biggie
vsdon't sweat it
  • Informal
20 8.5

Not a serious problem you need to worry about

focuses on calm reassurance rather than judging how serious it is
to keep your pants on
vsdon't sweat it
  • Informal
7 8.6

Stay calm and be patient

addresses worry directly rather than warning against impatience
never you mind
vsdon't sweat it
  • Informal
5 8.9

Tell someone not to worry about something

is more casual and friendly reassurance rather than a dismissal
no wuckas
vsdon't sweat it
  • Australian
9.9

A friendly phrase to tell someone not to worry

is the common casual reassurance used across varieties

Antonyms

to worry
∞ 1.0

To feel nervous or afraid about possible problems

How Worried

to panic
381 2.3
worryingly
2 4.6
don't sweat it
  • Informal
32 7.4
no problem
  • Informal
789 1.0

Surface Forms

don't sweat it main

Morphology

don't + sweat + it

The phrase combines literal elements ('don't' negation + 'sweat' + pronoun 'it') but relies on a metaphorical extension of 'sweat' to mean 'worry' (sweating as a symptom of anxiety). This bodily-reaction metaphor is somewhat inferable and cross-linguistically common, yet colloquial and pragmatic, so the meaning is partly predictable but not fully compositional for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Don't sweat it comes from the clear image of sweating when you are hot or nervous, so saying don't sweat is like telling someone not to get anxious or worked up. That's why it means 'don't worry' or 'it's not a problem'.