less of a shit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a shit" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and somewhat vulgar.
You can use it to express that you care less about something or that it is of lesser importance to you. Example: "I used to worry about their opinions, but now I care less of a shit about what they think."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I could not give less of a shit about erasers".

The New Yorker

As she praises his work, he tells her, "Try to give less of a shit".

The New Yorker

Or as if there were no possible way for him to give less of a shit.

The New Yorker

I'd like to give a little less of a shit about other people approving of me or liking me.

The Guardian - Music

Isn't it weird how when Andy Murray loses a match he's Scottish and when he wins a match I couldn't give less of a shit?

The Guardian - Film

When England is playing in a tournament, there's such huge pressure to give a shit that I perversely end up giving less of a shit than I would without that pressure.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Is Pete Campbell less of a little shit?

Vice

And it doesn't mean that any girl is going to give any guy less of a total shit-eye if he asks her out, but it does mean she's already daydreamed, in detail, a serious fight about what to do on Saturday afternoon and then had blistering makeup sex and then ordered too much Indian with him.

Vice

I love all comics but Marvel's best work is long behind them and I couldn't give less than a shit about the future of the company.

Vice

Driving through Utah, I, a person who normally could give less than a shit about the majesty of scenery, couldn't help but feel eye-fucked by nature's beauty.

Vice

These bands share bills, club nights and labels while somehow managing to sound nothing like each other and could easily hoot and holler right past the waiting world while giving less than an eighth of a shit as long as they get to play approximately 20 times more a month your average pointy-shoes-and-trilby band thought humanly possible.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "less of a shit" sparingly and be mindful of your audience, as it is considered vulgar. In formal settings, opt for more neutral alternatives such as "less concerned" or "less interested".

Common error

Avoid using "less of a shit" in professional emails, academic papers, or presentations. The informality can undermine your credibility and detract from your message. Always consider your audience and the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a shit" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a reduced level of concern or interest. It's a way of saying that something is not as important or doesn't bother the speaker as much as it used to or might bother others. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI that states it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less of a shit" is an informal expression used to convey indifference or a lack of concern. While grammatically correct and confirmed as usable by Ludwig AI, it's important to use this phrase judiciously due to its vulgar nature. Reserve it for casual contexts and avoid it in formal or professional settings. Alternatives such as "less concerned" or "not as worried" are more appropriate in formal situations. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's usage across various media, though its frequency remains uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couldn't care less

Emphasizes a complete lack of interest or concern.

don't give a damn

Expresses a strong feeling of not caring, often with a hint of defiance.

not bothered in the slightest

Indicates a lack of concern or worry, suggesting a calm indifference.

not concerned at all

A more formal way of saying that something is not causing worry or concern.

couldn't be fussed

Suggests a reluctance to put in effort or worry about something.

it's all the same to me

Indicates indifference to different options or outcomes.

I have no preference

Implies a lack of interest in influencing a decision or choice.

I'm not invested in it

Suggests a lack of emotional or personal involvement.

I'm unconcerned

A formal way of stating that one is not worried or troubled.

it doesn't matter to me

Expresses indifference because something has no impact on the speaker.

FAQs

What does it mean to say I give "less of a shit"?

Saying you give "less of a shit" means you care less about something, or that something is of lesser importance to you. It's an informal and somewhat vulgar way to express indifference.

What are some alternatives to "less of a shit" that are more appropriate for formal settings?

In more formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "less concerned", "less interested", or "not as worried".

Is it grammatically correct to say "less of a shit"?

Yes, the phrase "less of a shit" is grammatically correct, though it is considered informal and somewhat vulgar. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable in written English.

How can I use "less of a shit" in a sentence?

You can use "less of a shit" to express that you care less about something or that it is of lesser importance to you. For example, "I used to worry about their opinions, but now I give "less of a shit" about what they think."