don’t even think of it • don’t give it a thought don’t even think of it—don’t even let such an idea occur to you; don’t even consider such a possibility: With high summer temperatures, you’ll need to be drinking water constantly. Drugs: Don’t even think of it . don’t give it a thought—(also: don’t give it a second thought) 1. let that not worry you: I was eating regular food within five days after surgery. So, don’t give it a thought ! 2. is used to in- dicate that thanks are unnecessary: “Thank you very much for all your help!” “Please don’t give it a thought !” 3. is used as a polite way of accepting apology: “I’m sorry that I treated you mean today.” “Oh, don’t give it a thought .” don’t give up the day job • give something up as a bad job don’t give up the day job—is used to humorously tell a person that he could not do smth. professionally: Your English is fine for getting by in a conversation, but as for writing English (far less translating): don’t give up the day job . Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase don’t give up the ship—used to tell a person not to sur- render and keep on trying or working on smth. till he gets it right: Keep up the good work and don’t give up the ship , just yet. There is light at the end of the tunnel! give something up as a bad job—stop doing smth. because one does not feel it is worth continuing; acknowledge that one has no hope of success: I tried to make him see things as I did, but when this effort failed, I gave it up as a bad job . don’t knock yourself out • knock yourself out don’t knock yourself out—(coll.) 1. don’t overexert yourself in an effort to accomplish smth.: Don’t knock yourself out trying to track down your child’s allergies unless they truly are per- sistent. 2. (ironic) don’t overexert yourself in doing smth. that does not require much effort: “Well, don’t knock yourself out to say something, Sarah,” he said. His tone was teasing, but his eyes were not. knock yourself out—(sl.) go ahead; do as you please (usually in answer to a proposal a person is not happy with): If you want to make hotel and airline and car reservations and take care of everything, well, then, knock yourself out . don’t mention it • don’t talk to me about it don’t mention it—is used to indicate that thanks or apology are unnecessary: I wanted to apologize for not having known him in the garden. “Don’t mention it ,” he enjoined me ea- gerly. Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase don’t mention the war—(UK) don’t speak about things that could cause an argument or tension: In today’s world of “don’t mention the war ” or say anything to upset the Eu- ropean Union, I really did believe these great little reads had long disappeared. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase never tell me—(also: don’t tell me) used to emphatically express incredulity or disappointment: “Rosalie, never tell me you’ve been talking about Alexi this whole time!” “Why, yes,” said Rosalie in dismay. don’t talk to me about it—is used as an exclamation against discussing smth.: If you want to know more, read a book, or talk to Sharon or Allison. Just don’t talk to me about it any- more. See also: don’t tell me / say no more. don’t sweat it • don’t sweat the small stuff don’t sweat it—(U.S. sl.) don’t worry: Don’t sweat it ! We’ve got plenty of time to get there before the show starts. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase no sweat—(sl.) used to say that one can do smth. with no difficulty or problem: “Do you think you’ll be able to manage all those boxes yourself?” “Yeah, no sweat !” don’t sweat the small stuff—(U.S. sl.) don’t worry about things that are not important: You may have heard the phrase don’t sweat the small stuff . The person that said that wasn’t selling his home. don’t tell me • say no more don’t tell me—(also: never tell me) is used to express in- credulity, disappointment, or dismay: “Don’t tell me we’ve got to go through that again,” said one executive member in an audible groan. say no more—you need not add anything (said when in the course of a conversation one party communicates his total under- standing of smth.): I hadn’t thought much about this post, ac- tually, as a piece of writing. But say no more : I know well enough not to argue with such a lovely woman. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase it goes without saying— it is too obvious or well known: It goes without saying that a good first impression is critical. See also: don’t mention it / don’t talk to me about it. don’t you forget it • forget it don’t you forget it—an admonitory phrase used after a state- ment to emphasize the idea: If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have all this, and don’t you forget it . forget it—(imper.) 1. take no more notice of it; don’t mention it: “What do I owe you for lunch?” “Forget it .” 2. don’t even think about it: If you’re expecting a description of what those thugs did to us, please forget it . door holder • doorkeeper door holder—a device for holding a door open: Babyproof your home by using door stops and door holders to make it safer for your baby. door keeper —a man who stands at the door of an establish- ment and admits only those qualified to enter: We inquired of the door-keeper , whereupon a woman came out to see us. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the compound gatekeeper—1. a guard who tends a gate: The recep- tionist finally gave the OK for the door to be opened by the gatekeeper . 2. a person or group that controls access to smb. or smth.: As our representative, they serve as our “gatekeeper ” in controlling the flood of information from the various media organizations. dot one’s i’s and cross one’s t’s • mind one’s p’s and q’s dot one’s i’s and cross one’s t’s—(also: dot the i’s and cross the t’s) be very thorough; pay attention to small details: When you do an investigation of somebody very prominent, make sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s . mind one’s p’s and q’s—be careful of one’s actions and be- havior; act and speak correctly: You’ll have to mind your p’s and q’s if you want to be invited there again. double as someone • double for someone double as someone—(of an actor) act the part of two charac- ters in the same play: Peck doubled as the hearty Yorkshireman and the sinister Sir Mulberry Hawk in “Nicholas Nickleby.” double for someone—act as a replacement for a person who is ill, on holiday, etc.: I was just a stuntman on the film, but I doubled for the head villain himself, Mr. Suzuki. double bed • twin bed double bed —a bed for two people: Each room sleeps two in a double bed , and we can provide a camp bed at additional cost. twin bed—one of a matching pair of single beds: Students don’t even think of it – 104 –