derring-do

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“
Semifinalists will undergo a "superhero makeover" -- with a professional artistic gloss overseen by "Spider-Man" creator Lee -- and compete in various stunts and challenges that mimic comic book derring-do.

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Examples (49)

  • My friend and I went to the People's Republic on a romantic impulse, hoping to become female Bryons and Kerouacs and impress the world with our derring-do. —  SMITH Magazine Superfeed
  • This feat of derring-do harks back to the days when every part of an animal was used, and settlers by necessity "had a rather investigative spirit when it came to food," said Cathy Luchetti, the author of "Home on the Range: A Culinary History of the American West" (Villard, 1993). —  news | WM | http://www.starnewsonline.com
  • That when derring-do dad finally makes his way to the inner circle of the slavery cartel, the very next girl to be "auctioned off" … is Kim?
  • District B13, was a little short on all things script-related, it didn't skimp on the whip-frenzy derring-do. —  Entertainment Weekly's PopWatch
  • The opening page hooked me; when do we get the rest of this thrilling yarn of courage and derring-do? —  Knowledge is Power
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Etymologies (1)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Misinterpretation of earlier derrynge do, misprint of Late Middle English dorryng do, daring to do, from Middle English durring don, daring to do : durring, present participle of durren, to dare (from Old English durran; see dare) + don, to do; see do1.
 

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