Cool MateNo big deal vs So what he'd do
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No big deal
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
So what he'd do
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: No big deal
| No big deal | So what he'd do | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ bɪg diːl//🇺🇸 //noʊ bɪɡ diːl// | 🇬🇧 //səʊ wɒt hiːd duː//🇺🇸 //soʊ wɑt hid du// |
| Meaning | Not important or serious. | A phrase used to express indifference or dismissal about someone's actions. |
| Example | When she apologized for being late, I said, 'It's no big deal.' | When she complained about the movie, I thought, 'So what he'd do?' |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | make it no big deal, say no big deal, treat as no big deal | so what if, so what happens next, so what does it mean, so what should I do, so what about it |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal contexts where seriousness is expected., Confused with 'no big idea' which has a different meaning., Mispronounced or used too seriously. | Using it too formally in business discussions., Misunderstanding the tone; it can sound dismissive., Confusing with similar phrases like 'So what did he do?' |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual conversations to downplay a situation. Avoid in formal contexts. | "So what he'd do" is often used in casual conversations to show that someone's actions or opinions are not important to the speaker. It's not typically used in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: No big deal vs So what he'd do
What's the difference between No big deal and So what he'd do?
No big deal: Not important or serious. So what he'd do: A phrase used to express indifference or dismissal about someone's actions.
Which is more common: No big deal and So what he'd do?
No big deal is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No big deal: When she apologized for being late, I said, 'It's no big deal.' So what he'd do: When she complained about the movie, I thought, 'So what he'd do?'
Can I use No big deal and So what he'd do interchangeably?
Not always. No big deal and So what he'd do are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.