Dutch courage

NOUN

alcohol-induced courage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

drunkenness liquid courage

STRONG

pot-valiance pot-valiancy pot-valor

WEAK

alcohol bold front hitting the bottle intoxication

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.

No Dutch courage was necessary for these singers, though.

From New York Times

"I don't think I'm very good at it and therefore need some Dutch courage to get me on the floor," one said.

From BBC

It’s said that it was introduced to Britain by soldiers who had drunk it in the Netherlands during the Eighty Years’ War, hence the expression “Dutch courage.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Suddenly the Dutch have got their Dutch courage back.

From The Guardian

Men and women, driven on by far too much "Dutch courage" screamed at the television, imploring a strangely lacklustre Brazilian team to put the game beyond doubt.

From BBC