Dutch courage

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English

Etymology

This dates back to a time of intense political rivalry between England and the Netherlands, and was originally an ethnic slur.

Pronunciation

Noun

Dutch courage (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic) The courage or bravado induced by alcohol.
    Synonyms: liquid courage, pot-valiancy
    • 2010, Minette Walters, The Shape of Snakes, Pan Macmillan, →ISBN:
      I was beginning to wish I'd had the sense to spend the last hour in a pub. Dutch courage would have been better than no courage at all.
  2. (idiomatic) An alcoholic drink, taken to bolster one's courage.
    • 2015, R.A. Barnes, Peril: A Ger Mayes Crime Novel, Marble City Publishing, →ISBN:
      Another five minutes wait and we finally raise glasses in a toast to the evening. ‘So, what's the plan?’ ‘Well, we can go straight to the casino after this or we can get half a skinful of Dutch courage.’

Translations

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