never mind

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/ˌnɛvɚ ˈmaɪnd/
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A way to set aside a concern or show that an even smaller matter is out of reach.
Practice using never mind in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • "The cake looks a little uneven." "Never mind, it tastes lovely."
  • "What was the address again? Oh, never mind, I found it."
  • "Sorry about the noise." "Never mind, I was awake anyway."
  • She cannot carry the small bag, never mind the suitcase.
  • We barely had time for coffee, never mind lunch.

Similar words

leave it
no problem
not to mention
do not bother with
let alone
forget about
it's okay
much less
don't worry about it

Meanings

It is not important

conversation
neutral
Said to reassure someone that a mistake or disappointment is not important.

Examples

  • "I am sorry I am late." "Never mind, we have not started."
  • "I forgot to bring the book." "Never mind, I can borrow another copy."
  • "The cake looks a little uneven." "Never mind, it tastes lovely."
  • "Sorry about the noise." "Never mind, I was awake anyway."
  • "We missed the first bus." "Never mind, another will be here soon."

Similar words

it's okay
no problem
don't worry about it

Leave it alone

conversation
neutral
Tells someone to stop thinking about or dealing with a particular thing.

Examples

  • Never mind the dishes; I will wash them later.
  • "What was the address again? Oh, never mind, I found it."
  • Never mind what I said about leaving early.
  • She told him to never mind the small mistake and keep going.
  • "Shall I print the tickets?" "Never mind, I have them on my phone."

Similar words

forget about
leave it
do not bother with

Even less likely

comparison
neutral
Adds a second case that makes the first statement stronger by comparison.

Examples

  • He cannot afford a bicycle, never mind a car.
  • I have not finished the first chapter, never mind the whole book.
  • She cannot carry the small bag, never mind the suitcase.
  • We barely had time for coffee, never mind lunch.
  • The room was too cold for sleeping, never mind working.
  • She has climbed Everest, never mind the local hill.

Similar words

let alone
much less
not to mention

Etymology

Never tells someone not to do something at any time, while mind here means pay attention to it. The expression first asks someone to set a concern aside and also links two things in a comparison.

FAQ

What does never mind mean after an apology?

It tells the person that the mistake is not important.

Can never mind cancel a request?

Yes. It can tell someone to leave a task undone because it is no longer needed.

What does never mind mean in a comparison?

It adds a second case that makes the first statement more striking.

Is never mind one word?

This idiom is normally written as two words.

Is never mind the same as let alone?

In comparisons, let alone can often replace it.

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