adverb
casually; nonchalantly; as if nothing happened
Describes acting in a relaxed, unconcerned manner, often when one would expect worry or effort. Can imply doing something difficult with ease or brushing off a serious matter.
彼は難しい仕事を事も無げにやってのけた。
He pulled off the difficult task as if it were nothing.
彼女は失敗しても事も無げに笑っていた。
Even after failing, she laughed it off nonchalantly.
平然と emphasizes calm composure under pressure, while 事も無げに focuses on the casual, effortless manner of an action.
さりげなく implies doing something discreetly or without drawing attention, whereas 事も無げに highlights the lack of apparent effort or concern.
Derived from 事 (thing) + も (even) + 無い (not exist) + げ (seeming) + に (adverbial), literally 'as if there is nothing'. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the phrase has been used since at least the Edo period.