- A polite and common response to Thank you.
- It implies that the favor or action performed was insignificant or expected, and therefore requires no thanks or acknowledgement ('It's not worth mentioning').
Explanation
Origin
- A standard English phrase based on the verb mention (to speak or write about something briefly).
- The underlying idea is that the act of kindness was too minor to warrant being spoken about or thanked for.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- No problem. / No prob.
- No worries.
- Anytime.
- S'all good. / It's all good.
- No sweat.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- (Not applicable)
Milder/Standard:
- You're welcome.
- Not at all.
- It was nothing.
- Think nothing of it.
- My pleasure. / The pleasure was mine.
- Glad I could help. / Happy to help.
Situational Appropriateness
- Suitable for a wide range of situations, from informal to semi-formal.
- Considered polite and gracious.
- Might sound slightly more formal or traditional than No problem or No worries.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Unlikely to be misunderstood. Clearly a polite way of accepting thanks while minimizing the favor done.
Examples
- Thank you for holding the elevator. / Don't mention it.
- I appreciate you bringing me coffee. / Oh, don't mention it.
- Thanks for the advice. / Don't mention it.
Dialogue
Social Media Examples
- (Less common in very casual online chat, but possible in more polite exchanges)
- Email reply to thanks: Thank you for providing the information so quickly. -> Reply: Don't mention it, happy I could assist.
Response Patterns
- Used exclusively as a response to Thank you.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing Don't mention it:
- The person who said Thank you usually accepts the response gracefully, perhaps with a nod or smile.
- The exchange of thanks is concluded.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- It's a response to Thank you.
Intonation
- Usually said politely, often with a slight smile.
- Typically has a falling intonation.
- Stress can be on MEN-tion: Don't MEN-tion it.
- Meant to sound modest and dismissive of the need for thanks.
Generation Differences
- Used across generations, though possibly slightly more common among older generations compared to the prevalence of No problem or No worries among younger speakers. Still very common overall.
Regional Variations
- Widely used and understood in both British and American English, as well as other English-speaking regions.