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Don't sweat it

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A casual reassurance meaning not to worry or be troubled; it is often used to calm someone down over a minor issue or mistake, encouraging a relaxed attitude.

Detailed Definition
Don't sweat it means do not worry, do not feel guilty, or do not be troubled by a mistake or difficulty. In poetry, it can function as reassurance, forgiveness, emotional minimisation, or avoidance. The bodily image of sweat connects anxiety with heat, labour, and visible strain, so the phrase may soften pressure or deny its seriousness. In contemporary poems, it can create a casual, intimate tone. It may also reveal character: a speaker who says it may be kind, careless, evasive, or bravely calm.
Example
Example in poetry:
A friendly speaker in a modern poem might say don't sweat it after a small mistake; In comic verse, don't sweat it can calm exaggerated panic; The phrase suits informal dialogue that reveals kindness; A poet could use it ironically when the problem is clearly enormous.
Additional Notes
Don’t sweat it means do not worry or feel anxious about something. It is informal and reassuring, useful in contemporary voice, dialogue, or light verse. The bodily metaphor links worry to heat and perspiration, so it can be developed through weather, fever, labour, or embarrassment. Students should consider whether the phrase genuinely comforts or dismisses another person’s concern.
Also Known As
no worry
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