giving a hoot
Bothering to care
Giving a hoot means caring about something, though the phrase appears almost exclusively in the negative: if you don't give a hoot about something, you're completely indifferent to it.
The hoot in question likely references an owl's call—something brief, insignificant, and easily dismissed.
Variations include give two hoots or the slightly vulgar give a hoot in hell, all emphasizing the same casual dismissal.
- concernTroubled interest in something
- empathySharing another's emotions
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
ethical behavior · mindfulness · advocacy · attentiveness · stewardship · accountability · interest · who cares · care · paying attention · taking notice · volunteering · worry · gift · activism · social responsibility · conscientiousness · damn
giving a hootindifference
Lack of interest
apathy · couldn't care less · disregard · unconcern · disinterest
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