bade

bid defiance

To remain firm or resolute; to refuse to yield. Our toddler usually bids defiance to any mention of bedtime.
See also: bid, defiance

bid fair

To seem probable or likely. Her grades are good enough that she bids fair to get into that excellent high school.
See also: bid, fair
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bid defiance

To refuse to submit; offer resistance to.
See also: bid, defiance

bid fair

To appear likely.
See also: bid, fair
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • bidden
  • bid defiance
  • defiance
  • in defiance
  • not take (something) lying down
  • not take something lying down
  • says who
  • Says who?
  • sez
  • says you
References in classic literature
He showed them the unfinished window, and bade them fit it up like the others.
Aladdin, knowing that their task was vain, bade them undo their work and carry the jewels back, and the genie finished the window at his command.
All the while Little John stood grimly by, and after she had done he sternly bade her to begone, and she obeyed, pale and trembling.
Then Robin Hood, in a weak, faltering voice, bade Little John raise him that he might look out once more upon the woodlands; so the yeoman lifted him in his arms, as he bade, and Robin Hood's head lay on his friend's shoulder.
When Friday came to him I bade him speak to him, and tell him of his deliverance; and pulling out my bottle, made him give the poor wretch a dram, which, with the news of his being delivered, revived him, and he sat up in the boat.
He said, "Yes"; and I bade him give it to the poor Spaniard, who was in as much want of it as his father; and I sent one of the cakes that Friday brought to the Spaniard too, who was indeed very weak, and was reposing himself upon a green place under the shade of a tree; and whose limbs were also very stiff, and very much swelled with the rude bandage he had been tied with.