What is the meaning of "don't mention it" (in response to "thank you")?

Question

I read at several places that "don't mention it" is equal to "you're welcome". But for me, the word means something like "don't go around talking about this to anyone". So what is the real meaning of the phrase and how does it fit in as a response to "thank you"?

Answer 1

don't mention it is an idiom.

So you cannot go with the literal meaning

In response to "thank you" it means "you're welcome". Think of it as the person saying " the task or deed I did for you was so minuscule that your thank you isn't even needed"