damsel in distress

[dam-zuhl in di-stres]

noun

1. a person, usually a young woman, who needs to be rescued from danger or trouble of some kind.

   This plumber is worth his weight in gold, and I would like to thank him for going out of his way to help this damsel in distress.

2. Sometimes Damsel in Distress a trope or narrative device in movies, books, games, etc., portraying a female character as a victim in need of rescue.

   It has an exotic locale, the classic battle of man against nature, and, of course, a damsel in distress.

Word History and Origins

Origin of damsel in distress¹

First recorded in 1690–1700