“Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 10, 2024 by Liam Daniel

If you have ever heard someone use the term ‘don’t let the bastards get you down’ you may have wondered what they were talking about. We are going to look at what this saying means and how we can use it in conversation as well as where the term came from in the first place.

Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • “Don’t let the bastards get you down” means staying strong and not letting negative people or situations discourage you.
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Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down Meaning

“Don’t let the bastards get you down” is an informal phrase that means not allowing difficult or negative people, situations, or obstacles to discourage or defeat you. It encourages resilience and maintaining a positive attitude despite adversity or opposition.

Origin of the Phrase

The term ‘don’t let the bastards get you down’ is derived from a Latin phrase ‘illegitimi non carborundum’ which in fact, has no direct translation but is often translated as ‘don’t let the bastards get you down.’

Usage of “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”

  1. In a work context:
    “I know some of your coworkers are being tough on you, but don’t let the bastards get you down. You’re doing great.”
  2. Offering encouragement:
    “People will always have something negative to say, but don’t let the bastards get you down. Keep moving forward.”
  3. Dealing with challenges:
    “Life throws challenges your way, but remember: don’t let the bastards get you down.”

This phrase is often used as motivational advice to maintain resilience in the face of negativity or opposition.

Related Terms to “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”

  • Stay strong – remain resilient and tough in difficult times.
  • Keep your chin up – stay positive despite challenges.
  • Don’t give up – continue despite difficulties or opposition.
  • Rise above – avoid letting negativity affect you and maintain your integrity.
  • Hold your head high – maintain confidence and dignity in the face of adversity.
  • Persevere – continue to push forward, despite obstacles.
  • Stay positive – maintain a hopeful and optimistic attitude.
  • Brush it off – don’t let criticism or negativity affect you.
  • Tough it out – endure and get through a difficult situation.
  • Let it roll off your back – not let something bother or upset you.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

If you want to express the meaning of this term using different words, then here are some good examples of how to do it.

  • Don’t let the idiots worry you
  • Don’t let their behavior affect your life

“Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down” Examples

Example Sentences

You might use this saying when advising someone not to allow the idiotic behaviour of another person to cause you any bother. The word bastard originally meant a fatherless child, or illegitimate child, and the term illegitimate can also mean someone who is stupid, therefore the term can be used whenever an idiotic person is the subject. For example, you might say something along the lines of

  • ‘I can see those members of your rival football team are driving you mental but don’t let the bastards get you down.’

You might also use the idiom when talking about someone who is causing you problems at work, you could say something like

  • ‘Sonya is really trying to get me fired at work, but I won’t let the bastard get me down.’

Conversation Examples

If you would like to know how the term ‘don’t let the bastards get you down’ might be used in every day conversation, here are some examples of how it would work. In the first conversation, we see someone explaining how despite the silly behaviour of their colleagues, they will not let themselves be annoyed by it. In the second conversation, the people are talking about the bad decision made by the government but they will not allow this to effect their lives.

Conversation 1:

  • Person 1: “I am really getting tired of Mick and Emma trying to make me look stupid at work. I am so much better at the job than they are, they are just trying to make themselves look better.”
  • Person 2: “Don’t let the bastards get you down.”

Conversation 2:

  • Person 1: “This country is going down the drain but the government just don’t seem to be doing anything about it.”
  • Person 2: “It’s not worth worrying about, just get on with your life and don’t let the bastards get you down.”
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