Nothing matters

Meaning

"Nothing matters" sounds very dark, but in everyday talk it's usually a joke. People say it, often as "Nothing matters anymore," when a small disappointment ruins their mood: the café is out of croissants, their team lost, the rain canceled the picnic. It's the same overstatement you meet in "bored to death". The tiny problem gets a huge, dramatic reaction, and that gap is what makes it funny.

You'll also hear it with "but" or "more", and then it's serious and positive: "Nothing matters more than family" means family is the most important thing. The joking version is casual and fine between friends. Be careful with tone, though. If someone says it quietly and seems really low, it isn't a joke, and the kind response is to ask how they're doing.