damsel

damsel in distress

A helpless woman who needs to be rescued from some danger. The term is a reference to the stereotypical female character in romantic stories who serves solely to be rescued by a heroic male character. It's not like I'm a damsel in distress, Dad—I'll be fine living on my own.
See also: damsel, distress
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

damsel in distress

a young woman in trouble. humorous
Damsel in distress makes humorous reference to the ladies in chivalric romances whose sole purpose was to be rescued from peril by a knight in shining armour (see knight).
See also: damsel, distress
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a ˌdamsel in diˈstress

(humorous) a woman who needs help from a man, often to solve a practical problem: When I got a flat tyre I had to wait for my boyfriend to come and help me, like a true damsel in distress!
Damsel is an old word for a young woman who is not married.
See also: damsel, distress
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • damsel in distress
  • wenchy
  • whenchy
  • moonlight
  • be (not) all moonlight and roses
  • (straight) from central casting
  • (straight) out of central casting
  • a sugar daddy
  • sugar daddy
  • a woman after (one's) own heart
References in periodicals archive
The damsel seems to be making hay while the sun shines, given that the politician is not the only moneybag in her life.
ORCHILL (BRACO) Colin Dickson from Muckhart caught three fish for 10lbs - best 6lbs on a Damsel, John Score (Alloa) three fish for 9lbs 8oz on a HH Damsel, Bob Johnston (Stirling) three fish weighing 9lbs 8oz on a Damsel, Brian Eadie (Stirling) three fish for 12lbs - best 6 lbs on a White Wotsit, M Lindores (Stirling) three fish for 9lbs on Buzzers and Paul Rice from Perth used Buzzers to take four fish for 12lbs.
Fish to 3.5lb made up Carl Williams' limit and it was the same size for John Burton whose fish fell for a blue flash damsel nymph.
But, then again, none in "Damsel" are really quite up to the role they imagine themselves in, except for Penelope -- the only sane person in the movie crowded with fools.
Damsel is a Western that follows a pioneer (Pattinson) as he ventures across the frontier with the love of his life (Wasikowska).
George didn't catch any damsel flies, but his trousers had much better luck catching hundreds of sticky, prickly burrs.
Buzzers, Brown F Fly, PTN, GRHE Nymph, Daddies, Damsel Nymphs, Bloodworm, White Fritz and Blobs have been the effective flies.
Damsel in a aromatic currently PS54 from PSDamsel in a Dress.
Sharpley: Hare's Ear Emergers, Olive Buzzer, Stimulator, Black F Fly, Damsel Nymph, CdC Sedge, Daddies, Squirmies, Blobs.
For further information about the self defense tools offered by Damsel in Defense or to learn about becoming a representative, visit: www.vegasdamsel.com.
The biggest fish of the week was a 6lb rainbow caught by venue regular Rod Lacey on a small Damsel Nymph fished on a floating line.
Woad-covered warriors race across the showground with their chariots in tow, searching for a "damsel in distress" to rescue
Emma Stone has called her character Gwen Stacy a "damsel in distress" when talking about her new film The Amazing Spider-Man at comic book convention WonderCon.
She plays Belladonna, a damsel in distress who has to be rescued by James Franco.
The Princess Damsel (Pomacentrus vaiuli) is commonly found on the leeward reef flat of Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia.