Damn the... something besides torpedoes.
August 11, 2010 7:51 PM Subscribe
"Damn the torpedoes!"... without all the torpedoes? Help me find the right metaphor.
I'm looking for a metaphor (or a story) relating to the concept of going "full speed" through the most challenging situations—situations where the likely outcome is failure, but boldness prevails.
I love the "damn the torpedoes" saying, but I need something less military.
Offbeat a plus. Inspirational a must. Help me?
I'm looking for a metaphor (or a story) relating to the concept of going "full speed" through the most challenging situations—situations where the likely outcome is failure, but boldness prevails.
I love the "damn the torpedoes" saying, but I need something less military.
Offbeat a plus. Inspirational a must. Help me?
"Just another lost cause." (Last scene from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.)
posted by Jaltcoh at 8:01 PM on August 11, 2010
posted by Jaltcoh at 8:01 PM on August 11, 2010
For certain values of Inspirational - "Oh well, what the hell", from Catch 22.
posted by backseatpilot at 8:02 PM on August 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by backseatpilot at 8:02 PM on August 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Crash through or crash".
The philosophy expressed by the ex-Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam who was elected in 1972 on a reformist platform. The Governor-General dismissed his Government in 1975.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:04 PM on August 11, 2010
The philosophy expressed by the ex-Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam who was elected in 1972 on a reformist platform. The Governor-General dismissed his Government in 1975.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:04 PM on August 11, 2010
"Never tell me the odds"?
Hmm, "Charge of the Light Brigade" is pretty military, too, but maybe has something you might like in it anyway.
posted by galadriel at 8:05 PM on August 11, 2010
Hmm, "Charge of the Light Brigade" is pretty military, too, but maybe has something you might like in it anyway.
posted by galadriel at 8:05 PM on August 11, 2010
Pliny the Elder said "Fortune favors the bold" right before setting sail on an failed attempt to rescue people affected by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
posted by demiurge at 8:15 PM on August 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by demiurge at 8:15 PM on August 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Fuck the begrudgers," as Flann O'Brien (among others) said.
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:19 PM on August 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:19 PM on August 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
It is a good day to die.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:26 PM on August 11, 2010
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 8:26 PM on August 11, 2010
Fuck it, let's go bowling.
posted by cosmicbandito at 8:28 PM on August 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by cosmicbandito at 8:28 PM on August 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
Once more to the breach! Military, but Shakespeare too. And another:
Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war!
posted by XMLicious at 9:07 PM on August 11, 2010
Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war!
posted by XMLicious at 9:07 PM on August 11, 2010
Audacity, audacity, always audacity! or
Let's drive it like we stole it.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:10 PM on August 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
Let's drive it like we stole it.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:10 PM on August 11, 2010 [1 favorite]
Punch it, motherfucker!
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:28 PM on August 11, 2010
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:28 PM on August 11, 2010
"I thow my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,
And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'"
Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 8
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:32 PM on August 11, 2010
And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'"
Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 8
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:32 PM on August 11, 2010
Also, from my father : "Each for himself, and God for everyone!"
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:33 PM on August 11, 2010
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 9:33 PM on August 11, 2010
Not less military, but near the end of The Last Starfighter two Command Bad Guys are sitting in the smashed bridge of their ship and they're about to mount one last attack against Our Hero but the guns are out! So the one says "Forget the guns; RAMMING SPEED!"
Hard to get more inspiration than RAMMING SPEED!
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:34 PM on August 11, 2010
Hard to get more inspiration than RAMMING SPEED!
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:34 PM on August 11, 2010
Also:
- It's 106 miles to Chicago. We've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
- Hit it.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:35 PM on August 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
- It's 106 miles to Chicago. We've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
- Hit it.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:35 PM on August 11, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Cowboy up" -- from rodeo bull riding, but also a favorite used by a former Boston baseball player as a rallying cry.
posted by Anitanola at 9:54 PM on August 11, 2010
posted by Anitanola at 9:54 PM on August 11, 2010
"'WE'RE going through!' The Commander's voice was like thin ice breaking." -- The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (James Thurber)
"Pedal to the metal!"
posted by exphysicist345 at 12:52 AM on August 12, 2010
"Pedal to the metal!"
posted by exphysicist345 at 12:52 AM on August 12, 2010
Hard to get more inspiration than RAMMING SPEED!
LUDICROUS SPEED!
posted by allkindsoftime at 2:46 AM on August 12, 2010
LUDICROUS SPEED!
posted by allkindsoftime at 2:46 AM on August 12, 2010
full speed ahead and fuck the iceberg! -- captain of the titanic
posted by canned polar bear at 3:50 AM on August 12, 2010
posted by canned polar bear at 3:50 AM on August 12, 2010
Best answer: In cartoons Nelson could often be seen looking through his blind eye claiming "I see no ships," though in fact this was a misquotation. In 1801 during the Battle of Copenhagen, Nelson's squadron was given orders to attack and destroy the Danish fleet in a battle in which both sides were very evenly matched. At one point Nelson's senior officer, who was some distance away, thought the British were about to lose the battle and hoisted the signal of recall, which he thought would save Nelson from certain destruction. Nelson, however, being closer to the fierce ensuing action, could see the battle was in fact starting to go his way. When told about the signal, Nelson indulged in a bit of his customary play acting: he put the telescope to his blind right eye and said "I really do not see the signal, Damn the signal, Keep mine for close action flying." The British fleet then proceeded to continue the battle in which the Danes were subsequently defeated.
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:10 AM on August 12, 2010
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:10 AM on August 12, 2010
Leeeeeeeroy Jenkins!
Boldness does not prevail, but at least he has chicken.
posted by yeti at 7:05 AM on August 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
Boldness does not prevail, but at least he has chicken.
posted by yeti at 7:05 AM on August 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
From my roadracing days, "Win it or bin it!" (Win, or crash out trying.) Example here, where Spies, Haslam and Haga battle for first at SBK Assen 2009.
posted by workerant at 7:30 AM on August 12, 2010
posted by workerant at 7:30 AM on August 12, 2010
Go big or go home.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:15 AM on August 12, 2010
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:15 AM on August 12, 2010
Ghostbusters:
"I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it!"
posted by Ragged Richard at 10:18 AM on August 12, 2010
"I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it!"
posted by Ragged Richard at 10:18 AM on August 12, 2010
"To the last I grapple with thee! [...] From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee." - Khaaaaaan!
posted by sprocket87 at 10:56 AM on August 12, 2010
posted by sprocket87 at 10:56 AM on August 12, 2010
Lord John Whorfin: Where are we going?
The Red Lectroids: Planet Ten!
Lord John Whorfin: When?
The Red Lectroids: Real soon!
I'm sure there's something better in Buckaroo Banzai but I'm kinda busy.
posted by chairface at 3:26 PM on August 12, 2010
The Red Lectroids: Planet Ten!
Lord John Whorfin: When?
The Red Lectroids: Real soon!
I'm sure there's something better in Buckaroo Banzai but I'm kinda busy.
posted by chairface at 3:26 PM on August 12, 2010
Onward, through the fog. Or even "Onward! Through the fog!"
(No idea about the originals. Probably naval, but at least it doesn't sound overtly military.)
posted by wintersweet at 8:35 PM on August 12, 2010
(No idea about the originals. Probably naval, but at least it doesn't sound overtly military.)
posted by wintersweet at 8:35 PM on August 12, 2010
'My centre is giving way; my right is in retreat; situation excellent; I shall attack.' (Attributed to Marshal Foch before the Battle of the Marne, 1914.)
posted by verstegan at 12:14 PM on August 19, 2010
posted by verstegan at 12:14 PM on August 19, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:55 PM on August 11, 2010 [4 favorites]