demolition derby

noun

1. a contest in which drivers deliberately and repeatedly crash old cars into each other, on a racetrack or in an enclosed area, with the winner being the last vehicle still moving after all others have been disabled.

2. Informal.,  any event or circumstance having the chaotically destructive character of such a competition.

demolition derby

noun

1. a competition in which contestants drive old cars into each other until there is only one car left running

Word History and Origins

Origin of demolition derby¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

We’re supposed to find depth in Johnson’s weary, pinched grin as he appreciates the sunset on a flight to Japan or watches fans at demolition derby cheer just as loudly for mindless chunks of metal getting crushed.

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Both drivers share a nail-gnawing approach to safety that can feel dangerously close to a demolition derby.

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The densely packed cluster plus the lightning-fast speeds equal a high-speed demolition derby.

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The series is based on the PlayStation game series centred around a futuristic, over-the-top demolition derby contest - a game Anthony says he played as kid, but admits he "sucked" at.

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"My first game against Rangers was the 'demolition derby' - when we beat them 6-2 in August 2000," Sutton said.

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