For all he cared: the game was as good as lost

Analyze the question

The phrase "For all he cared" is an idiom meaning "he didn't care at all" or "it made no difference to him." The sentence says that, as far as he was concerned, the game could be considered lost. He was indifferent.

Explain the concept

"For all (someone) cared" works like "for all I care": it shows indifference. Compare:

• "For all I care, you can leave now." (I don't mind if you leave.)
• "He could not care less" is a fixed idiom for complete indifference.

Solution: checking each option

• A. "He did not care if the game as lost": This is close in meaning (indifference), but it has a typo ("as" instead of "was"). It also lacks the strength of the idiom. It is a plausible distractor.
• B. "He could not care less if the game was lost": This expresses total indifference and matches the idiom "for all he cared" very well. It is grammatically correct.
• C. "He was almost certain the game would be lost": This picks up "as good as lost" but ignores the "for all he cared" part. It is about certainty, not attitude.
• D. "He was afraid the game would be lost": Fear is the opposite of indifference, so this is wrong.

Answer

Option B is the best match. It captures the indifference in "for all he cared" most naturally and correctly. Option A is similar in idea, but it contains a typo and is a weaker paraphrase.

Tip

When you see idioms like "for all I care," "I couldn't care less," or "I don't give a hoot," think indifference. In "nearest in meaning" questions, first decode the idiom, then eliminate options that change the attitude (fear, certainty, etc.).