a daring quixotic adventure

/ə ˈdeərɪŋ kwɪkˈsɒtɪk ədˈventʃə/

noun phrase

  1. A bold, exciting undertaking driven by romantic idealism and therefore likely to be impractical or unrealistic; sometimes used admiringly of a noble venture pursued without regard for realistic chances of success.

    C1

    countableliterary; sometimes formal

    • "Sailing around the world in a tiny wooden boat sounded like a daring quixotic adventure."B2
    • "What began as a daring quixotic adventure soon became a hard lesson in practical survival."C1
    • "Building a free school in the mountains was a daring quixotic adventure, but the villagers adored him for it."C1
    • "Critics described the whole enterprise as a daring quixotic adventure in search of a problem."C2

Common mistakes

  • His quixotic attack on the enemy was simply brave.→His quixotic plan to end all wars was noble but unrealistic.

    "Quixotic" does not mean simply "brave" or "daring"; it stresses idealistic, impractical romanticism, after Don Quixote.

Collocations

quixotic adventuredaring adventurequixotic questquixotic schemequixotic ideal

Word family

quixoticquixoticallyquixotismdaringdareadventureadventurous