have nothing to do with

NOUN

[/hæv ˈnʌθɪŋ tu du wɪð/]

to not be connected with or related to something; to not be involved in something

💡 Concept

She insists she'll have nothing to do with the office gossip circle anymore.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

Start Free Demo

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/hæv ˈnʌθɪŋ tu du wɪð/

🇬🇧 UK/hæv ˈnʌθɪŋ tu du wɪð/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrase combines three Old English elements: 'have' from Old English 'habban' (to possess), 'nothing' from 'naught' (not anything), and 'do' (to perform). The construction emerged in Middle English to express the absence of connection or relationship between entities.

Breakdown

have (to possess) + nothing (not anything) + to do with (to be related to). The phrase semantically inverts possession—rather than having something to do with a matter, one has nothing to do with it, expressing complete dissociation.

🎵Rhyme

nothingsomethinganything

nothing

something

anything

🔗Collocations

have nothing to do with it

have nothing to do with money

have nothing to do with politics

have nothing to do with the problem

want nothing to do with

📝Examples

“My success has nothing to do with luck - I studied for 12 hours a day!”

😄 Fun example

“The cat's attitude has nothing to do with your feelings - cats are just naturally sassy.”

😄 Fun example

“This traffic jam has nothing to do with my driving skills!”

😄 Fun example

“My weight gain has nothing to do with pizza... okay, maybe a little.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

be unrelated tobe irrelevant tobe disconnected frombear no relation to

Antonyms

be related tobe connected withbe involved in

regardless ofindependent ofseparate fromunconnected

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Start for Free 60s Demo

have nothing to do with — to not be connected with or related to something; to not be involved in something

Example Sentences