Phrase guide

no skin off one's nose

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

No harm to one.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • You can be as critical of them as you like. It's no skin off my nose.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

This saying has been attributed to originating in boxing as a minor blow taking no skin off. See: The American Heritage Dictionary Of Idioms, Second Edition Paperback – February 26, 2013 by Christine Ammer and Random House Dictionary of America's Popular Proverbs and Sayings: Second Edition Paperback – April 18, 2000 by Gregory Titelman.