Antonyms for derring-do


Grammar : Noun
Spell : der-ing-doo
Phonetic Transcription : ˈdɛr ɪŋˈdu


Definition of derring-do

Origin :
  • originally (late 14c.) dorrying don, literally "daring to do," from durring "daring," present participle of Middle English durren "to dare" (see dare (v.)) + don, infinitive of do (v.). Misspelled derrynge do 1500s and mistaken for a noun by Spenser, who took it to mean "manhood and chevalrie;" picked up from him and passed on to Romantic poets as a pseudo-archaism by Sir Walter Scott.
  • noun daring deed
Example sentences :
  • Of deeds of derring-do for the saving of life our square-set friend was full.
  • Extract from : « Cornish Saints and Sinners » by J. Henry Harris
  • We can watch your deeds of derring-do from here through the glasses.
  • Extract from : « John Ames, Native Commissioner » by Bertram Mitford
  • Like Ivanhoe in the castle, he chafed at his compulsory inaction while others were doing "deeds of derring-do."
  • Extract from : « Red Eagle and the Wars With the Creek Indians of Alabama. » by George Cary Eggleston
  • None of it fitted his preconceived notions of an Indian fight, with bullets flying thick and fast and deeds of derring-do.
  • Extract from : « The Lost Wagon » by James Arthur Kjelgaard
  • To that complexion of mean fraud did the old smuggling traditions of courage, adventure, and derring-do come at last!
  • Extract from : « The Smugglers » by Charles G. Harper
  • After this, who will say that "derring-do" is not still held in honour, or that hero-worship has vanished out of the land?
  • Extract from : « Barren Honour: A Novel » by George A. Lawrence
  • She would tell us of deeds of 'derring-do' and all that was inspiring in the way of freedom and love of country.
  • Extract from : « Life of Frederick Courtenay Selous, D.S.O. » by J.G. Millais
  • Being a level-headed, plucky youngster, he was by no means desirous of indulging in deeds of derring-do.
  • Extract from : « The Strange Case of Mortimer Fenley » by Louis Tracy
  • The woman asked for details that would help her picture feats of derring-do.
  • Extract from : « Talents, Incorporated » by William Fitzgerald Jenkins
  • And because they had no golden days of derring-do to look back upon, they did less grumbling.
  • Extract from : « Our Army at the Front » by Heywood Broun

Synonyms for derring-do

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019