dare

don't you dare

An emphatic way to tell someone not to do something. Don't you dare say something vulgar like that to your mother! Don't you dare touch that autographed baseball—it's worth a lot of money!

See also: dare

how dare you

What you have done is unacceptable. The phrase is sometimes followed by the action in question. How dare you speak to your mother that way? Apologize right now. You think you can brazenly cheat and get away with it? How dare you?

See also: dare, how

I dare say

I assume, assert, or am quite certain. (Somewhat formal or old fashioned.) I dare say we'll hear from him again before the year is done. These trips are always rather tedious, but I dare say we'll be able to find something to divert our attention.

See also: dare, say

how dare (someone)

Used to express shock, disdain, or anger that someone could do something so presumptuous, brazen, or rude. Can be said like a question or as an exclamation. How dare you speak to your mother that way? Apologize right now! How dare they accuse our company of tax fraud, after the amount of jobs and revenue we've brought into the economy!

See also: dare, how

dare someone (to do something)

to challenge someone to do something. Sally dared Jane to race her to the corner. You wouldn't do that, would you? I dare you.

You wouldn't dare (to do something)!

an exclamation that shows disbelief about something that the speaker has stated an intention of doing. Bill: I'm going to leave school. Tom: You wouldn't dare leave! Bill: Be quiet or I'll slap you. Jane: You wouldn't dare to slap me!

I dare say

1. I venture to assert or affirm, as in I dare say my point of view will be heard. [c. 1300]

2. Also, I daresay. I presume or assume to be likely, as in I daresay you'll be invited. This usage is more common in Britain than in America. [Mid-1700s]

See also: dare, say

don’t you ˈdare (do something)!

(spoken) used to tell somebody strongly not to do something: ‘I’ll tell her about it.’ ‘Don’t you dare!’ ♢ Don’t you dare say anything to anybody.

how ˈdare you, etc.

(spoken) used for expressing anger or shock about something that somebody has done: How dare you speak to me like that! ♢ How dare he use my office without permission?

See also: dare, how

I dare ˈsay

(spoken) I suppose; it seems probable: I dare say what you say is true, but it’s too late to change our plans now.

See also: dare, say