make nothing of


make nothing of (something)

1. To regard something as unimportant, trivial, or not worth one's attention. My brother earns so much money that he makes nothing of spending $300 on a single meal. We went to our HR rep about the issue, but they seemed to make nothing of our concerns.2. To be unable to understand, comprehend, or decipher something. I can make nothing of this note John left—his handwriting is terrible! Her essay was so filled with obscure references and cryptic analogies that I could make nothing of what she was trying to say.See also: make, nothing, of

make nothing of something

to ignore something as if it had not happened; to think no more about something. (Often with it.) My father caught me throwing the snowball, but he made nothing of it. I made nothing of the remark, even though it seemed quite rude. I saw him leave early, but I made nothing of it.See also: make, nothing, of

make nothing of

1. Regard as unimportant, make light of, as in He made nothing of walking three miles to buy a newspaper. This expression was first recorded in 1632. 2. can make nothing of. Fail to accomplish, understand, or solve something, as in I could make nothing of that long speech. [Late 1600s] See also: make, nothing, of

make nothing of (or not make anything of)

not understand or decipher.See also: make, nothing, of