damn the torpedoes
Used to dismiss the risks of a dangerous action.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I will start the business and damn the torpedoes.”
“The project is risky, but we decided to damn the torpedoes and launch it anyway.”
“Despite the warnings from his advisors about the potential for failure, he chose to damn the torpedoes and proceed with his ambitious plan.”
From "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!", a famous order issued by Admiral David Farragut during the Battle of Mobile Bay, a paraphrase of the actual order, "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells. Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!".
- 01
damn right
Expresses enthusiastic support or opposition, agreement or disagreement, certainty or emphasis.
- 02
damn straight
Without doubt, certainly, for sure.
- 03
damn with faint praise
To provide praise that is minimal or inconsequential, implying that such praise is the best that could be said.
- 04
give a damn
To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- 05
praise with faint damns
To provide minimal critique, implying that the criticism is the worst that could be said of someone or something.
Last updated August 10, 2026