Dutch courage

American  

noun

Sometimes Offensive.

1. courage inspired by drunkenness or drinking liquor.

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Dutch courage British  

noun

1. false courage gained from drinking alcohol

2. alcoholic drink

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Dutch courage Idioms  

1. 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.”

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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

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

He sought his black bottle for Dutch courage; but before he could raise it to his bloodless lips, the wounded man perceived him, and he gave a cry of terror.

From Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape from the Brigand's of Greece by Hemyng, Bracebridge

The effect was marvelous, and enabled me clearly to understand the meaning of the familiar term "Dutch courage," so that I watched from afar the fight to the end without a return of funk.

From The Autobiography of a Journalist, Volume II by Stillman, William James

"Dutch courage is cheap enough, Mister Slyne," said the old man tauntingly.

From The White Blackbird by Douglas, Hudson

"No, no," replied the captain; "no, no, Mr Simple, I don't like what you call Dutch courage."

From Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Marryat, Frederick

Related Words

• drunkenness
• liquid courage