no fear
English
WOTD – 10 February 2015
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Interjection
no fear
- Don't worry, no worries.
- Mary Austin (1918) The Trail Book: “"No fear," he said. "Every man will know his own when I come to the Council."”
- (Britain, dated) No way; absolutely not.
- M. R. James (1904) Ghost Stories of an Antiquary: “"Why, did you show him up some rot?"
"No fear," he said.” - Dorothy L. Sayers (1947) Creed or Chaos: “Q: Will thou be baptized in this faith?
A: No fear!” - 1992, The Animals of Farthing Wood, episode 2
- Toad: You should take up swimming!
- Rabbit: No fear, toad!
- M. R. James (1904) Ghost Stories of an Antiquary: “"Why, did you show him up some rot?"
Usage notes
The two senses of the phrase are more or less antonymic: one can express a desire for something to proceed, while the other usually expresses a desire for something not to proceed. Since the phrase is a contranym, care should be taken to avoid ambiguity or confusion.
Translations
no worries — see no worries
no way — see no way
Anagrams
- Fearon