never mind

idiomatic phrase

1

—used to tell someone not to be concerned about or give attention to something or someone

Never mind your mistake: it wasn't serious.

So you made a little mistake! Never mind (about that): it wasn't serious.

'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' said I. 'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. 'I should be able to look after that for you.'

—Arthur Conan Doyle

He would tell Blossom that she might go back to her aunt and never mind about him—he would do very well by himself and he did not blame her in the least.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

2

—used to say that something previously mentioned or asked can be disregarded

Do you know where my keys are? Oh, never mind. Here they are.

3

—used to refer to something that is even less likely or possible than something else being mentioned or described

I can barely understand it, never mind explain it.

With this knee I can hardly walk, never mind run.

Never mind mastering a second language or a subject syllabus, most us have enough difficulty remembering the orders for a round of drinks at the pub.

—David Robson

Synonyms

• let alone
• much less
• still less

Examples of never mind in a Sentence

I have a hard enough time getting out of bed before sunrise, never mind getting to work so early.

Recent Examples on the Web

But never mind that the fashion: What’s with the doggie cooking mitt? —Guy Martin, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

The singer’s pile-ups and pile-ons of bad news over the last few years are the sort that would throw anybody for a loop, never mind make for unbelievable songwriting grist. —Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024

Noticeably absent is fashion—not a trace of a bra or nightgown, never mind designer interpretations. —Amy Verner, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2024

Advertisement Americans who have had their run-ins with the health insurance industry, never mind our own inadequate welfare state, won’t have trouble feeling indignation. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1