no harm, no foul

English

Noun

no harm, no foul

1. Encapsulation of the idea that although technically a breach of some code or law may have occurred there is no need for punishment, apology or retribution if no actual damage occurred.

   He parked in my space but as I was away at the time: no harm, no foul.

See also

• the ends justify the means
• ‎de minimis non curat lex ‎(“the law will not cure (or concern itself with) trifles”)‎, ‎de minimis‎^[1]

Usage notes

Phrases with the same construction are common and productive. See the related terms below.

Related terms

• no cross, no crown
• no effort, no result
• no pain, no gain

References

• “Chick Hearn#Chick-isms” in Wikipedia.

1. ^ Bryan A. Garner (editor-in-chief), Black's Law Dictionary, Seventh Edition, West (publisher, 1999), page 443.