give a hoot

English

Photograph of an owl mascot costume in a woodland setting.
United States Forest Service's Woodsy Owl mascot.

Verb

give a hoot (third-person singular simple present gives a hoot, present participle giving a hoot, simple past gave a hoot, past participle given a hoot)

  1. (chiefly US slang, idiomatic) To care about; to place value on something.
    • 1909 July 1, Jenkins, Wilberforce, “A True Philosopher”, in Munsey's Magazine‎, volume 41, number 4, Light Verse, page 595:
      I don't care for a glorious name— / I wouldn't give a hoot for fame;
    • 1971 September 15, United States Forest Service:
      Give a hoot — don't pollute!
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