double dare
Raised stakes challenge
A double dare raises the stakes from an ordinary dare, challenging someone more intensely to do something risky or forbidden.
Common in childhood games, it signals escalation—refusing a double dare carries more social weight than declining a simple dare.
I double dare you to knock on that door.
The phrase sometimes appears as a verb: She double-dared him to jump.
Signal-carrying body fiber
- gutsEntrails or boldness
- gallImpudent boldness or bitterness
- chutzpahShameless, admirable audacity
- audacityBrazen, reckless daring
boldness · bravado · pluck · spunk · moxie · backbone · mettle · fearlessness
Insulting provocation
- goadIncite to action
- provocationAct that triggers response
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
baiting · incitement · antagonism · one-upmanship · escalation · showdown · standoff · face-off
Stake on uncertain outcome
- stakesPosts or wagers
- jeopardyRisk of harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
chance · wager · peril · vulnerability · exposure · all-or-nothing · high-stakes · leap of faith
Pause in activity
- schoolyardOutdoor area at school
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- kidsYoung human offspring
- gameOrganized play or sport
stunt · prank · mischief · initiation · chicken · showing off
nerve
Signal-carrying body fiber
audacity · boldness · bravado · pluck · spunk · moxie · backbone · mettle · fearlessness · gumption
taunt
Insulting provocation
- goadIncite to action
- provocationAct that triggers response
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
confrontation · baiting · incitement · antagonism · one-upmanship · escalation · showdown · standoff · face-off · ultimatum
gamble
Stake on uncertain outcome
recklessness · chance · wager · peril · vulnerability · exposure · all-or-nothing · high-stakes · leap of faith
recess
Pause in activity
- schoolyardOutdoor area at school
- peer pressureInfluence from one's equals
- kidsYoung human offspring
game · stunt · prank · mischief · initiation · chicken · showing off
- fighting wordsfight me, bring it, square up, throw hands, step outside
- kidspeakboo-boo, booboo, cooties, gimme, gonna
- playground callsnot it, dibs, my turn, you're it, you're out
double darefree pass
Exemption from consequences
no pressure · open invitation · take it or leave it · opt-out · no obligation
double, dare, doubles, doubled, doubling, doubly, dares, dared, daring