Dutch

do the Dutch commit suicide. North American informal

☞ Dutch is short for 'the Dutch act': apparently in the 19th century, when the expression originated, the Dutch had a reputation in America for attempting suicide.

Dutch courage bravery induced by drinking alcohol.

☞ The phrase Dutch courage stems from a long-standing British belief that the Dutch are extraordinarily heavy drinkers.

a Dutch uncle a kindly but authoritative figure.

☞ Dutch here probably means no more than that the person described is not a genuine blood relation. In the mid 19th century I will talk to him like a Dutch uncle (meaning 'I will give him a lecture') was noted as being an American expression.

2006DigbyHullabaloo In the past when these situations would flare up, Israel would take an aggressive action to demonstrate that it wasn't a pushover and the US would step in like a Dutch uncle and reluctantly pull the pissed-off Israelis back.

go Dutch share the cost of something equally.

☞ An outing or entertainment paid for in this way is a Dutch treat and sharing the cost of a meal in a restaurant is eating Dutch.

1993Vanity Fair He insists on buying his own tickets, 'going Dutch', as he puts it.

in Dutch in trouble. US informal, dated

1939Raymond ChandlerThe Big Sleep And for that amount of money you're willing to get yourself in Dutch with half the law enforcement of this country?

that beats the Dutch that is extraordinary or startling. US