Couldn't Care Less: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：completely indifferent (Couldn't care less)

Couldn't care less 🔊

/ˈkʊdnt keər les/

Idiom, Adj. phrase

To have no interest or concern at all about something. It means you care so little that it's impossible to care any less.

Person shrugging with blank expression showing couldn't care less indifference

completely indifferent 🔊

➕

/kəmˈpliːtli ɪnˈdɪfərənt/

Idiom, Adj. phrase

To have no interest or concern at all about something, indicating the maximum possible level of indifference.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Could not' + 'care' + 'less' forms idiom meaning zero interest.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a care-o-meter. Couldn't care less means the needle is at absolute zero.

📖 Example

My friends are all talking about the latest fashion trends, but I couldn't care less about what's "in" this season. 🔊 My friends are all talking about the latest fashion trends, but I couldn't care less about what's "in" this season.

🔗 Collocations

couldn't care less about – not concerned at all about

couldn't care less whether – not interested in whether

couldn't care less if – not bothered if

🔄 Synonyms

not give a damn (idiom) – to not care at all

be indifferent (adj. phrase) – to have no interest

couldn't give a hoot (idiom) – to not care in the slightest

🚫 Antonyms

care deeply (verb phrase) – to have strong concern

be passionate about (adj. phrase) – to feel intense interest

value highly (verb phrase) – to regard as very important

📖 Cultural Story

Emerged in mid-20th century British English as a hyperbolic phrase for absolute indifference. Frequently used in informal conversation to emphasize lack of interest.