darnedest
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of darnedest
First recorded in 1830–35; darned 1 ( def. ) + -est 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Our approach now, is to do our darnedest to keep bluetongue out of Wales," he said.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2025
The kids do say the darnedest things, but they are also vessels of anxiety and avatars of vulnerability.
From New York Times ● Nov. 23, 2022
One simple way to prevent this is to do your darnedest not to think, "Hm, this gravy looks thin ... I should probably sprinkle some flour over top nily wily."
From Salon ● Nov. 22, 2022
During the national anthem, the camera panned to James, who had returned home to Cleveland for the game, to show the four-time NBA champion trying his darnedest to hold back laughter.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 21, 2022
And the darnedest thing: I kept remembering something Ben said and I could not get it out of my head.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
