Cool MateIt wouldn't hurt nobody vs It's safe
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It wouldn't hurt nobody
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
It's safe
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: It's safeMost common: It's safe
| It wouldn't hurt nobody | It's safe | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ˈwʊdnt hɜːt ˈnəʊbɒdɪ//🇺🇸 //ɪt ˈwʊdənt hɜrt ˈnoʊˌbɑdi// | 🇬🇧 //ɪts seɪf//🇺🇸 //ɪts seɪf// |
| Meaning | It won't cause any harm to anyone. | It's not dangerous. |
| Example | Sharing our resources wouldn't hurt nobody; we can all benefit. | Don't worry, it's safe to cross the street now. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | wouldn't hurt nobody, it won't hurt, wouldn't do any harm, won't hurt anyone | it's completely safe, it's safe to say, it's generally safe, it's safe enough, it's safe to assume |
| Common mistakes | Incorrectly use 'nobody' in more formal contexts., Using the phrase in negative constructions can confuse listeners., Mixing up with 'It would hurt somebody' changes the entire meaning. | Using 'safely' instead of 'safe'., Confusing with 'it's dangerous'., Not using it in context when describing safety. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is often used to suggest that something is harmless or beneficial. It's informal and common in spoken English, less suitable for formal writing. | Use this phrase when reassuring someone about safety. It's appropriate in both casual and formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: It wouldn't hurt nobody vs It's safe
What's the difference between It wouldn't hurt nobody and It's safe?
It wouldn't hurt nobody: It won't cause any harm to anyone. It's safe: It's not dangerous.
Which is more formal: It wouldn't hurt nobody and It's safe?
It's safe is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: It wouldn't hurt nobody and It's safe?
It's safe is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
It wouldn't hurt nobody: Sharing our resources wouldn't hurt nobody; we can all benefit. It's safe: Don't worry, it's safe to cross the street now.
Can I use It wouldn't hurt nobody and It's safe interchangeably?
Not always. It wouldn't hurt nobody and It's safe 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.