foolhardy
/'lu:l,hɑ:di/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A foolhardy explorer tries to cross a rickety rope bridge over a deep canyon.
Definition
Adjective: Marked by or showing a foolishly bold lack of care for danger or consequences; recklessly daring without good sense.
Usage
The adjective "foolhardy" describes an action or a person that is not just brave or daring, but is dangerously reckless because it ignores obvious risks. It implies a lack of sensible judgment or forethought. It is a critical term, suggesting the action is unwise and foolishly bold.
Examples
- It was a foolhardy attempt to cross the raging river without any safety equipment.
- The foolhardy explorer entered the cave alone, ignoring the warnings of his guide.
- Charging into the situation without a plan was a foolhardy move that could have ended in disaster.
Advanced Usage
- Comparative and Superlative Forms: "foolhardier," "foolhardiest."
- His second plan was even foolhardier than the first.
- Adverb Form: "foolhardily."
- He foolhardily bet all his savings on a single hand of cards.
Variants and Related Words
- Foolhardiness (noun): The quality of being foolhardy; reckless boldness.
- His foolhardiness finally caught up with him when he crashed the car.
Synonyms
- Reckless: Marked by a lack of proper caution; careless of consequences.
- Rash: Acting or done without careful consideration of the possible consequences; impetuous.
- Imprudent: Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.
- Daredevil: Recklessly bold. (Often used more as a noun for a person who performs such acts.)
Antonyms
- Cautious: Careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.
- Prudent: Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
- Circumspect: Wary and unwilling to take risks.
Idioms and Phrases
- To tempt fate: To act in a recklessly bold way that seems to challenge bad luck or danger. This phrase is conceptually similar to acting in a foolhardy manner.
- Driving that fast on an icy road is just tempting fate.
A foolhardy explorer tries to cross a rickety rope bridge over a deep canyon.
Adjective
- marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
- foolhardy enough to try to seize the gun from the hijacker
- became the fiercest and most reckless of partisans-Macaulay
- a reckless driver
- a rash attempt to climb Mount Everest