Meaning
"Don't sweat it" means "don't worry about it, it's not a big deal." You say it to someone who's stressed, apologizing too much, or making a small problem bigger than it is. Sweating is what your body does when you're nervous, so "don't sweat it" is telling them to relax. "Don't sweat the small stuff" is a longer, well-known version: don't waste your worry on little things.
It's close to "no sweat", but not the same job. "No sweat" answers a request or thanks ("Can you help?" "No sweat."). "Don't sweat it" answers an apology or a worry ("I'm so sorry I forgot." "Don't sweat it.").
It's casual American English, warm and friendly. It's great with friends and coworkers. With a client who's upset about something serious, it can sound like you're not taking them seriously. There, "Please don't worry, we'll take care of it" is safer.
In a conversation
- Amelia
- Chen
- Amelia
- Chen
- Amelia
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Check yourself
Practice · 3 min
Listen, then repeat. "Don't sweat it" sounds like "dohn SWEH-dit". The t in "don't" almost disappears, and the stress is on "sweat".
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.