demolition derby

noun

1. a contest in which drivers deliberately and repeatedly crash old cars into each other, on a racetrack or in an enclosed area, with the winner being the last vehicle still moving after all others have been disabled.
2. Informal. any event or circumstance having the chaotically destructive character of such a competition.

demolition derby

noun

1. a competition in which contestants drive old cars into each other until there is only one car left running

Word History and Origins

Origin of demolition derby¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The densely packed cluster plus the lightning-fast speeds equal a high-speed demolition derby.

From Science Daily

The series is based on the PlayStation game series centred around a futuristic, over-the-top demolition derby contest - a game Anthony says he played as kid, but admits he "sucked" at.

From BBC

"My first game against Rangers was the 'demolition derby' - when we beat them 6-2 in August 2000," Sutton said.

From BBC

How else could anyone of conscience survive the Pennsylvania Avenue fish bowl during a four-year demolition derby of the country, which then climaxed with a literal attempted coup?

From Salon

This is the world of modern medieval battle, a human demolition derby where men and women wearing up to 100 pounds of armor slash and hammer one another with blunted steel swords, axes and maces — until someone goes down, gives up or loses on points.

From Los Angeles Times