For sure

[0043] No worries

🎲 Anytime
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • An informal phrase used primarily in response to thanks (You're welcome) or apologies (It's okay, Don't worry about it).
  • Can also be used to downplay a potential problem or reassure someone (It'll be fine). Conveys a relaxed, easy-going attitude.

Origin

  • Strongly associated with Australian English, where it became extremely common in the latter half of the 20th century.
  • Reflects a characteristically laid-back and reassuring Australian cultural attitude. Short for (Have) no worries (about that).
  • Its usage has spread significantly to other English-speaking countries, notably the UK, Canada, and the US.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • No problem. (Very common, similar meaning and usage)
  • Don't worry about it. / Never mind.
  • It's alright. / It's okay. / That's alright. / That's okay.
  • You're welcome. / Don't mention it. / Not at all. (Response to thanks)
  • It's all good. / S'all good. (Informal reassurance)
  • No sweat. (Informal, means 'no difficulty')

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • No prob. (Abbreviation)
  • S'all good. / It's all good.
  • No biggie. / No big deal. (Downplaying the issue)
  • No sweat. (Implies it was easy/no effort)
  • Forget about it. (Can mean 'don't worry', but has other meanings too, e.g., 'definitely not')

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • (Not applicable; vulgarity contradicts the reassuring meaning). Might sarcastically say Yeah, no fucking worries if actually annoyed, but that's sarcasm.

Milder/Standard:

  • No problem.
  • You're welcome. (For thanks)
  • Don't mention it. / Not at all. (For thanks)
  • It's quite alright. / That's quite alright. (More formal reassurance/response to apology)
  • Please don't worry about it.
  • Think nothing of it.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal.
  • Very common and appropriate in casual conversations, customer service interactions (especially in Aus/NZ/UK), and among friends/colleagues.
  • Might be considered slightly too informal for very high-stakes formal situations, but its use is spreading rapidly.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally well understood.
  • Some prescriptivists might dislike its grammatical structure (no modifying a noun), but this doesn't impede understanding. Its casualness is its main feature.

Examples

  • Thank you so much for your help! / No worries.
  • Oh dear, I'm so sorry I'm late! / No worries, we just got here too.
  • I forgot to bring the document. / No worries, you can send it later.
  • (Reassurance): Are you sure you can handle this? / Yeah, no worries.

Dialogue

Social Media Examples

  • Reply to someone apologizing for a late reply: No worries! Thanks for getting back to me.
  • Comment after receiving online help: Thx for the tip! -> Helper: No worries, glad it worked!
  • Tweet: Forgot my umbrella and got soaked. Oh well, no worries. Just water! 😅 #rainyday

Response Patterns

  • Used in place of You're welcome or It's okay / Don't worry.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing No worries:

  • The person who apologized or thanked usually feels reassured and the exchange concludes. They might say Okay, thanks or just smile.
  • The conversation typically moves on.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • It's a response.

Intonation

  • Typically casual, friendly, and reassuring.
  • Often has a slightly rising or fall-rise intonation on WOR-ries. No WOR-ries.
  • Meant to sound light and dismissive of the problem or the need for thanks.

Generation Differences

  • Extremely common across all age groups in Australia and New Zealand.
  • In other regions (UK, North America), it's very common among younger generations (Millennials, Gen Z) and increasingly used by older generations too.

Regional Variations

  • Iconic phrase in Australia and New Zealand.
  • Very common in the UK.
  • Increasingly common and widely understood in North America (US/Canada), often used interchangeably with No problem.
For sure
🎲 Anytime