I Don’t Care to
I began my blog in 2013 to help international friends understand English idioms. I don’t care to is an idiom that also confuses people who speak English as their primary language.
I don’t care to has two opposite meanings.
In other parts of the world, it means I don’t want to do something. However, in my neck of the woods, it means I don’t mind, or I will be glad to do it.
Same phrase. Opposite meanings. Are you confused yet? I usually try to avoid this expression but still say it occasionally.
I don’t care to can be changed to a question.
Asking, “Do you care to?” risks all the same confusion.
Usually, I don’t care (without the “to”) means I have no feelings either way.
It doesn’t matter. I have no preference.
However, it often means the opposite when a person becomes upset. Then, it means I care a great deal but refuse to admit it. I am angry or hurt but don’t want to say so.
I delayed tackling this expression for a long time.
How could I explain it without confusing everyone?
I apologize if you must read this post again to understand it. However, I hope it helps when you encounter people who mean the opposite of what you think.
“Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears” (Job 13:17 NIV).
Thanks to Denise Wilder for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
Do you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.
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10 thoughts on “I Don’t Care to”
I guess I must not be from ’round here because I’ve never heard it used this way. But it reminds me of “I don’t mind if I do.” Have you done that one?
I have not done that one, Tracy. Thanks for another great suggestion. Blessings.
English idioms can be and are so confusing to people trying to learn the language, Diana. They can be challenging to us, too. I understood this phrase to mean I don’t want to do this, and not the opposite of that. Guess you learn something new every day! Blessings!
Martha, I’ve had other people who move here mention the confusion of this phrase. If we have occasional difficulty, imagine how hard it is for people trying to learn English!
Blessings on your week.
A dear friend who was widowed from Missouri married a man in Oregon. Shortly after they married, he asked if she wanted to go run an errand with him. When she said, “I don’t care to” and went to get her purse, he left without her, thinking she didn’t want to go. I’ve never forgotten this story in connection with that phrase!
A perfect example, Vickie! You gave me an early morning smile. Blessings on your day.
I don’t care to dwell on the confusion. 😆
I have said, “I don’t care a bit to” quite a bit, I’m afraid. 🤔
Funny, Beckham! Like you, many people frequently say it. I try to pay close attention to the rest of the conversation plus their background in order to understand their meaning.
I admit to being confused. “I don’t care to” sounds to me like the person doesn’t want to to whatever it might be. I’ve not heard the phrase before. On my first read, I thought you meant, “I don’t care.” My husband and I have different veiwpoints on that phrase. He uses it as an answer when I ask him, “Do you want to…?” I’m asking a specific question and want a specific answer, but he thinks he is saying, “I don’t have an opinion either way, you decide.” Anyway, I enjoyed your message.
Katherine, I received that suggestion a year or two ago but hesitated to write on it because of its confusion. I finally decided to go for it to remind us that we need to listen carefully and understand people’s backgrounds before assuming we know what they mean.