Cool MateDon't worry about nothing vs Relax
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't worry about nothing
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Relax
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most formal: RelaxMost common: Relax
| Don't worry about nothing | Relax | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt ˈwʌri əˈbaʊt ˈnʌθɪŋ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ˈwɜri əˈbaʊt ˈnʌθɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈlæks/","/rɪˈlæksɪz/","/rɪˈlækst/","/rɪˈlæksɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Don't be upset about anything. | To make yourself feel calm and not stressed. |
| Example | When I heard about the exam, I thought, 'Don't worry about nothing; you'll be fine.' | After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | don't worry about it, don't worry about anything, don't worry at all | completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself, completely, fully, totally, begin to, try to, learn to, against, into, on, lie back and relax, sit back and relax, relax and enjoy something/yourself |
| Antonyms | - | stress, tense, worry |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'Don't worry about anything' which is more common., Using it in formal situations., Overusing the phrase in everyday conversation. | 'Relax' is sometimes confused with 'release' as if both mean the same thing., Learners may forget to use an object, saying just 'I relax' instead of 'I relax myself'., Some might use 'relax' inappropriately with a negative tone, which can sound confusing. |
| Usage notes | This expression is a colloquial way to reassure someone. It’s often used in casual conversations among friends. Avoid in formal writing or serious discussions. | Use 'relax' when talking about making oneself calm. It's suitable for most contexts, but avoid using it in very formal occasions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't worry about nothing vs Relax
What's the difference between Don't worry about nothing and Relax?
Don't worry about nothing: Don't be upset about anything. Relax: To make yourself feel calm and not stressed.
Which is more formal: Don't worry about nothing and Relax?
Relax is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Don't worry about nothing and Relax?
Relax is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't worry about nothing: When I heard about the exam, I thought, 'Don't worry about nothing; you'll be fine.' Relax: After a long day at work, I like to relax on the couch with a good book.
Can I use Don't worry about nothing and Relax interchangeably?
Not always. Don't worry about nothing and Relax 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.