Did someone tell you there's 'no love lost' between you and them? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression 'no love lost' means a mutual feeling of animosity or hatred between two parties. If your day there's no love lost between you and someone else, it means that you don't care about them or what they say about you. There is no feeling of respect between you, and you don't care what happens to the other person.
Typically, it's said between two people that despise each other. In most cases, it refers to a sense of hatred and ill will. You'll use it when describing your attitude towards the person you don't like.
Example Usage
"There's no love lost between us because there was no love there in the first place. Get out of my face and leave me alone. I don't care what happens to you."
"Don't worry, there's no love lost for her. I don't care if she lives or dies, she's as good as dead to me, and I'm, moving on. I have better friends and people in my life that need my attention."
"There's no love lost on the democratic party nomination. I don't vote democrat, so I don't care who's leading the par. They're all enemies to me."
"There's no love lost on me for Donald Trump. I think he's the greatest American grifter of all time. How he ended up in the White House is beyond me."
"There's no love lost between you and me because there was no love there in the first place. Let's just call a spade a spade and leave each other alone. Okay?"
"Don't worry, there's no love lost here. I don't care about him anyway. He can go jump off a bridge for all I care."
"No love lost between us over here. We hated each other from the outset, and things haven't changed one iota."
Origin
The expression 'no love lost' originates from the 1500s. The term's original use referred to extreme love or hatred between two parties. The first written example of the phrase appears in 'Travel of a Twelve-pence,' written by John Taylor in 1622, where it reads as follows.
"They love me not, which makes 'em quickly spend me. But there's no great love lost 'twixt them and mee. We keepe asunder and so best agree."
The phrase also appears in a pamphlet written by dramatist Cyril Tourneur, titled 'Laugh and lie downe,' written in 1605. The phrase appears as follows.
"She tooke his purse and his jewels, and kissed his brest, and said... there shall be no love lost... be not jealous of my lookes to any other, for you onely shall have my love."
Phrases Similar to No Love Lost
- I don’t care about you.
- You mean nothing to me.
Phrases Opposite to No Love Lost
- I got love for you.
What is the Correct Saying?
- No love lost.
Ways People May Say No Love Lost Incorrectly
The phrase 'no love lost' doesn't refer to love. It relates to your hatred of another person. You'll use the expression to describe your displeasure or animosity toward another person. The phrase doesn't refer to love or feelings of happiness and joy.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase No Love Lost
You can use the expression 'no love lost' in conversations between friends and colleagues. You can use the phrase to refer to someone close to you or someone you barely know. For example, you could say that there's no love lost between you and a comedian after seeing them make jokes about something you find concerning or close to you.
Or you could say there's no love lost between you and your boss because you despise them. You'll use the expression to describe how you never had any connection, favor, or love for a person. People typically use 'no love lost' when referring to someone's actions or words.