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Glite Dictionary
to double dog dare

to double dog dare

1 8.3
Challenge someone playfully so they feel they cannot refuse to do something
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈdʌbəl dɔɡ dɛr/
  • Baby Talk
translation icon : te reto a que
  • - Well, I double-dog dare you!

Examples

  • I double dog dare you to find a teenager that can't drive a car, use a smartphone, use a remote-controlled toy, or operate a game console like a maestro playing "Flight of the Bumble Bee" on a grand piano.

    Blog text (20)

  • I double dog dare you to deconstruct that!

    Blog text (19)

  • I DARE YOU, I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!

    Blog text (24)

  • I double dog dare you to jump into the pool with your clothes on!

  • Come on, I double dog dare you to eat that spicy pepper!

  • If you're brave enough, I double dog dare you to try that stunt on your skateboard.

Synonyms

to dare
vsto double dog dare
332 2.4

To challenge someone to do something risky or embarrassing

is more forceful and playful, suggesting they cannot refuse the request
to throw down a challenge
vsto double dog dare
  • Informal
1 5.4

Openly invite someone to compete with you

is more playful and pressuring, suggesting the other cannot refuse

How Forceful

to double dog dare
  • Baby Talk
1 8.3
to tease
245 1.9
to suggest
∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

double dog dare infinitive
double dog dared past
double dog dared past participle
double dog daring present participle
double dog dares third person singular

Morphology

double + dog + dare

The verb 'dare' gives the core meaning (a challenge) and 'double' transparently signals intensification, so a B1 learner who knows those words would likely infer this is a stronger or emphatic challenge. However, the inserted 'dog' is an idiomatic, colloquial intensifier whose contribution and playful/taunting nuance are not fully predictable from the parts, and the fixed formulaic nature of the phrase may be unfamiliar, so full meaning is not wholly derivable.

Etymology

Double dog dare comes from children's dare games. Kids would add double and the silly word dog to a dare to make it stronger, so a double dog dare is a playful but forceful 'challenge' that is hard to 'refuse'.