bid defiance
To remain firm or resolute; to refuse to yield. Our toddler usually bids defiance to any mention of bedtime. The boss bid defiance to her idea initially, but she held her ground and explained it in greater detail. He kept offering me less money, but I bid defiance and got the full asking price.
in defiance
In blatant rebelliousness or insolence. If you do one more thing in defiance, you'll be grounded for a month, understand? Anyone who acts out in defiance in my classroom will have Saturday detention to look forward to! So you snuck out last night, in defiance of the punishment your father and I had given you? Well, you're in big trouble now, mister.
in defiance of (something)
Regardless or in spite of something. Oh, so you snuck out last night, in defiance of the punishment your father and I had given you. In that case, you're grounded for a month now. Anyone who acts out in defiance of classroom etiquette will have Saturday detention to look forward to! If you do one more thing in defiance of the rules, you'll be grounded for a month, understand?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in defiance (of someone or something)
against someone's will or against instructions; in bold resistance to someone or someone's orders. Jane spent the afternoon in the park in defiance of her mother's instructions. She did it in defiance of her mother. She has done a number of things in defiance lately.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
in defiance of
In spite of, with outright disregard for, as in They went on strike in defiance of union policy. This term was first recorded in 1750.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bid defiance
To refuse to submit; offer resistance to.
in defiance of
In spite of; contrary to: went on strike in defiance of union policy.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.