dare
dare — verb
1. to be willing to go through with frightening, difficult, or socially embarrassin
to be willing to go through with frightening, difficult, or socially embarrassing acts despite your fear
Eitan did not dare to argue with his strict teacher, so he stayed quiet.
negative main verb: did not dare + to-infinitive
I hardly dare breathe when my father is in a bad mood.
How dare you read my private messages without asking me first!
Roya dared to apply for the manager position even though she lacked experience.
- venture
more formal; implies a calculated risk, often in unfamiliar territory
- have the nerve
informal; emphasises social boldness rather than physical courage
- shy away from
avoid because of fear or lack of confidence
文法句型
dare + (to-)infinitive
dare not + bare infinitive (modal)
do not dare + to-infinitive (main verb)
用法筆記
In negative and interrogative sentences, 'dare' can behave as a modal verb (no 'to' after it, no auxiliary 'do'), especially in British English: 'I daren't ask.' In positive statements, it always behaves as a regular main verb: 'She dared to disagree.' Common fixed expressions include 'how dare you' (anger or shock), 'don't you dare' (warning), and 'I dare say' (supposition).
常見錯誤
2. to urge someone to do a risky or embarrassing thing as a way of showing that the
to urge someone to do a risky or embarrassing thing as a way of showing that they are brave
The children dared each other to jump from the old bridge into the cold river.
dare + object + to-infinitive
Reuben dared his little sister to eat a whole lemon, and she actually did it.
I dare you to ride your bike down that steep hill without touching the brakes.
Femi only climbed the wall because his friends dared him to.
文法句型
dare + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the expression 'I dare you to…' as a playful or competitive challenge between friends, especially among children and teenagers. The person making the dare expects the other person to feel nervous about accepting.
常見錯誤
3. to openly resist or refuse to obey a person, rule, or system that has power, kno
to openly resist or refuse to obey a person, rule, or system that has power, knowing there could be negative consequences
A group of teenagers dared the school rules by wearing baseball caps in class.
dare + noun (rule/authority/danger)
Dewi dared the winter storm and drove into the mountains to find her missing brother.
The young journalist dared the government's publishing ban and posted the story online.
A local fisherman dared the rough seas to rescue the stranded kitten from the rocks.
文法句型
dare + noun phrase (rule / authority / danger)
用法筆記
Stronger than 'disobey'; implies doing something openly while fully aware of the risk. The object is often an abstract authority (law, convention, fate) or a dangerous natural force (storm, sea, wilderness).
常見錯誤
dare — noun
1. something risky, embarrassing, or difficult that one person challenges another t
something risky, embarrassing, or difficult that one person challenges another to do as a test of courage
As a dare, Élise agreed to sleep in the garden shed for one whole night.
collocation: as a dare
The boys laughed at Jisoo's dare to climb and hang upside down from a high branch.
Kevin only ate the spicy noodles because it was a dare from his classmates.
Christopher accepted the dare and ran around the school yard in his pyjamas.
- challenge
wider scope; not limited to acts testing physical or social courage
- provocation
more negative connotation; intended to annoy or anger
文法句型
for a dare
on a dare
as a dare
accept a dare
用法筆記
Commonly used in the prepositional phrases 'for a dare' and 'on a dare' to explain the motivation behind a risky action. 'On a dare' is more common in American English; 'for a dare' is more common in British English.