Dutch courage

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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Noun

Dutch courage (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic) The courage or bravado induced by alcohol.
    Synonyms: liquid courage, pot-valiancy
    • 1955, Ian Fleming, “Cards With A Stranger”, in Moonraker, London: Pan Books, published 1959, page 49:
      Bond's champagne had come and was standing beside him in its silver bucket. There was a glass goblet three-quarters full beside it on the side table. Bond picked it up and drained it, as if to give himself Dutch courage. Then he filled it again.
    • 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

Further reading

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