Give what? I don’t give a rat’s ass?Why would someone want a rat’s ass? Idioms, and this is an idiom, can be funny and strange when you look at a literal meaning. There is some discussion on the origin of this idiom.
Some give credit to Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn where he said: “don’t give a dead rat”. Others credit Leon Uris from his Battle Cry (1953). When using this phrase, it is often done in an informal manner and more likely when someone is upset or angry and/or frustrated.
Meaning
When we use this idiom, we are communicating that we don’t care about something, an event or even about a person.
- Look, I really wish you would give a rat’s ass about this issue.
- My boss kept complaining about my work and threatened to fire me. I got in his face and told to go ahead as I really don’t give a rat’s ass anymore!
Dialog
Fred: Hi Sally.
Linda: Hi Fred, how are you.
Fred: Not very good.
Linda: Oh, what’s wrong now?
Fred: Same issue. My boss is insisting that I work on the weekends and give up my holiday for this new project.
Linda: And? Did you tell him you can’t? That you have plans with me and our kids?
Fred: It’s not that easy, he might tell me to find a different job.
Linda: Look Fred! I don’t give a rat’s ass if he fires you. We have planned this vacation and we are going. It is about time you start giving a rat’s ass about your family!
Other words you can create: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, etc (ex: mug – mugger)
uncaring (adj)
unsympathetic (adj)
aloof (adj)
disinterested (adj)
indifferent (adj)
give a shit
don’t care
Collocations:
I don’t give arat’s ass
It’s not worth a rat’s ass
Does not care a rat’s ass.
Related phrasal verbs:
Fed up
When someone has not more patience with something or someone.
- I am fed up with my boss’s attitude. I quit my job.
Don’t care for something or somebody
When you have displeasure for something or someone.
- I don’t care for what he said, it was rude.
Sick of something or somebody
We use this phrasal verb to indicate that we do not care or have run out of patience with somebody or something.
- I am sick of all the taxes, I am going to move to the moon!
Had enough of
We use this phrasal verb to say we annoyed and generally feel you have tolerated something too long or long enough and will not do it anymore.
- I have had enough of your attitude, you better start giving a rat’s ass or I am moving out!
Tired of
We use this phrasal verb to suggest that we have or losing interest in something. It can also me that you or someone is fed up and have not more patience for something or someone.
- I am tired of my job, I am really starting to not give a shit.
Up to here
This phrasal verb to describe someone have no more patience for somebody or something.
- My friend told me she has had it up to here with her boyfriend and he better start giving a rat’s ass or she will leave him.
Had it
When someone uses this phrases they are annoyed and tired of something occurring or someone’s behavior.
- That’s it! I’ve had it! I give up, and don’t give a rat’s ass what you say anymore.
Related idioms:
Cat’s ass
Kiss my ass
Cover your ass
Chew someone’s ass out
Bet one’s ass
Ass in a sling
Ass kissing
Get off my ass
Sick and tired
Synonyms (other ways to say):
I don’t give a shit.
I don’t give a fuck.
I don’t give a flying fuck.
I don’t give a fucking shit.
I don’t give a crap.
I don’t give a damn.
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