devil-may-care

[dev-uhl-mey-kair]

adjective

1. reckless; careless; rollicking.

devil-may-care

adjective

1. careless or reckless; happy-go-lucky

   a devil-may-care attitude

Word History and Origins

Origin of devil-may-care¹

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Mr. Deneen views the American Founding as a set of liberal ideas, influenced by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, that gave us the devil-may-care economics that has ultimately spoiled the country.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So much of Calloway’s persona rested on her brilliant ideas tempered by charming ineptitude, her devil-may-care approach to her own fame.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With dark blond hair and hazel eyes, Denise had a youthful beauty and hid her tough circumstances under a devil-may-care attitude.

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So, with that history, I just threw everything into it in a kind of devil-may-care way.

Read more on Salon

For her, Gary constructs Ron, a dashing, swaggering fellow with devil-may-care insouciance and a hint of real danger.

Read more on Los Angeles Times