Dutch courage
Americannoun
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courage inspired by drunkenness or drinking liquor.
noun
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false courage gained from drinking alcohol
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alcoholic drink
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False courage acquired by drinking liquor, as in He had a quick drink to give him Dutch courage. This idiom alludes to the reputed heavy drinking of the Dutch, and was first referred to in Edmund Waller's Instructions to a Painter (1665): “The Dutch their wine, and all their brandy lose, Disarm'd of that from which their courage grows.”
Sensitive Note
Dutch courage is foolish courage or misplaced confidence. Because “Dutch” is used to imply that the courage is not genuine, the term is sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Dutch. See also Dutch.
Etymology
Origin of Dutch courage
First recorded in 1805–15
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dutch courage … John le Carré's Toby Bell takes to a cafe to prepare himself to steal an illicit recording back from his employer.
From The Guardian • Apr. 12, 2013
Bridegroom, Dutch courage of, 72; driven to desperation, 83.
From How to be Happy Though Married Being a Handbook to Marriage by Hardy, Edward John
"I think, sir," observed I, "that it is an injustice to this fine ship's company to hint at their requiring Dutch courage."
From Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Marryat, Frederick
"Dutch courage is cheap enough," said a contemptuous, sneering voice in the background, and the sound of shuffling footsteps succeeded it.
From The White Blackbird by Douglas, Hudson
"If so, it would be Dutch courage, indeed," answered Helen, laughing.
From Vera Nevill Or, Poor Wisdom's Chance by Cameron, H. Lovett, Mrs.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.