Devil may care

Meaning

The idiom "devil may care" refers to someone who is carefree or indifferent, often disregarding the consequences of their actions. It suggests a willingness to take risks and act without regard for potential negative outcomes. In essence, this phrase describes a person who doesn't care much about what happens in the aftermath of their choices.

Usage

• "John was always 'devil may care' when it came to his health, never eating a proper meal and skipping exercise."
• "Mary decided to quit her job on a whim, thinking 'devil may care', but now she's struggling to find another opportunity."
• "The reckless driver was driving at high speeds with a 'devil may care' attitude, putting himself and others in danger."
• "During the pandemic, some people have adopted a 'devil may care' approach, ignoring safety guidelines and risking exposure to the virus."
• "After losing his job, John decided to start his own business with a 'devil may care' attitude, believing he could make it big overnight."

Roots and History

The origin of the phrase "devil may care" is somewhat debated, but one popular theory suggests that it comes from a 16th-century poem called "The Faerie Queene" by Edmund Spenser. In the poem, one of the characters says, "I care not how much for the world I am, / So long as my course be free." The phrase gained popularity in the 20th century and has since become a common idiom used to describe someone who is carefree or indifferent.

Synonyms in English

• Reckless
• Risky
• Carefree
• Indifferent
• Unconcerned

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: "No me importa" (I don't care)
• French: "Je ne me soucie pas" (I don't worry)
• German: "Ich ziehe mich nichts um" (I don't care about anything)
• Italian: "Non mi preoccupo" (I am not concerned)
• Dutch: "Ik ben het niet bezig met dat" (I am not bothered by that)

Similar Idioms

• dead and buried

• down in the dumps

• deja vu