dare to touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dare to touch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a challenge or invitation to engage with something, often implying a sense of risk or boldness. Example: "In this art exhibit, the artist encourages visitors to dare to touch the interactive installations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

'No one would dare to touch us anyway.

The Guardian

Ilya Klishin, 27, is online editor of the channel, which covers stories that others don't dare to touch.

The Guardian

But it did dare to touch on the topic that undoubtedly played a large part in the referendum's result.

The Guardian

He said the photographs inspired him to take on a subject that few in China care, or dare, to touch.

The New York Times

But Bryant did this stealthily, without a word, because Anything Goes is another beloved classic and Australians rarely dare to touch the classics.

The Guardian

"I was very naïve when I thought that the authorities would not dare to touch the people," he said by telephone, saying he was calling from Israel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

It was a story that no newspaper dared to touch.

The New Yorker

"But if I dared to touch anything, the customers would kill me".

The New York Times - Food

Defying strong conservative opposition, Mr Schröder has dared to touch immigration the first chancellor to do so since the Third Reich.

The Economist

Last winter's reform of ruinous price subsidies was a hot potato that only he dared to touch.

The Economist

I dared to touch the shelves of the dead, counting how many were with us in the dark.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dare to touch" to convey a sense of challenge, risk, or bravery in engaging with a sensitive or forbidden subject.

Common error

Avoid using "dare to touch" when you simply mean 'try to touch'. The phrase implies a level of risk, prohibition, or audacity that might not be present in a simple attempt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dare to touch" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action involving courage or recklessness. It suggests someone is willing to engage with something that is potentially risky or forbidden. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dare to touch" is a versatile expression that implies a challenge or risk associated with physical contact or engagement with a sensitive subject. Ludwig AI supports its common usage and grammatical correctness. Analysis reveals its prevalence in "News & Media" and "Wiki", suggesting a neutral to informal register. When using this phrase, consider its connotations of risk or audacity. While it can be used literally, it's often employed metaphorically to describe challenging established norms or engaging with controversial topics. Alternative phrases include "risk touching" or "venture to handle", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risk touching

Implies a similar level of risk and potential consequences as the original phrase, but is more literal.

venture to handle

Indicates a cautious approach to something that might be dangerous or forbidden.

be bold enough to touch

Emphasizes the courage required to interact with something.

have the audacity to touch

Highlights a sense of impudence or disrespect in making contact.

defy limitations to touch

Focuses on overcoming restrictions or boundaries to make contact.

attempt to touch

A neutral way of expressing the act of trying to touch something, without implying any challenge or risk.

take the chance to touch

Highlights the opportunity, but does not emphasize risk.

presume to touch

Suggests arrogance or an overstepping of boundaries.

take liberties to touch

Emphasizes inappropriate or unauthorized contact.

dare to engage

Shifts the focus from physical touch to interaction in general, implying a challenge or risk.

FAQs

How can I use "dare to touch" in a sentence?

Use "dare to touch" to suggest someone is being bold or reckless by engaging with something sensitive, forbidden, or dangerous. For example, "No one would "dare to touch" the boss's prized collection."

What does it mean when something is described as if no one "dares to touch" it?

It means that the subject is so sensitive, controversial, or dangerous that people avoid dealing with it, either out of fear of the consequences or respect for its significance.

What can I say instead of "dare to touch"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "risk touching", "venture to handle", or "be bold enough to touch".

Is "dare to touch" always used literally, or can it be metaphorical?

While it can be used literally to describe physical contact, "dare to touch" is often used metaphorically to refer to engaging with difficult topics or challenging established norms.