2

I learned this idiom "Fine by me." recently. I also read another webpage This is fine with / by / for me. So I wondered whether there was any difference between them.

"It is fine with me."

I looked up OALD.

I guessed that the meaning of the word "with" is of #7

7, used when considering one fact in relation to another

Though #6 was a possible choice at first for me.

Fine by me

What is the meaning of the word "by" here?

What is the difference between "Fine by me." and "It is fine with me." in terms of meaning or usage?

Thanks for your reading.

Improve this question
2
  • 3
    Because these are idioms, I would not expect to be able to make the words by and with fit the meanings of the idiom. According to this entry, the two expressions are equivalent in meaning. This is also how I feel about it.
    – Em.
    Commented Aug 31, 2016 at 20:38
  • Thanks for your reference, @Max. I learned this idiom "Fine by me." recently. I also read another webpage. This is fine with / by / for me So I wondered whether there was any difference between them.
    – Stats Cruncher
    Commented Aug 31, 2016 at 23:02

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

"Fine with me" and "fine by me" do indeed mean the same thing. As Max said, they are both idioms. My sense is that the first version is better established and the second is a little more informal, although neither is really very formal.

Interestingly, "I am fine with it" also means the same thing.

Improve this answer
1
  • "I am fine with it" VS “It is fine with me” Wow. It looks interesting. Thanks.
    – Stats Cruncher
    Commented Sep 1, 2016 at 1:15

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .