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.

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

Cowardice -- N. cowardice, pusillanimity; cowardliness &c. adj.; timidity, effeminacy. poltroonery, baseness; dastardness†, dastardy†; abject fear, funk; Dutch courage; fear &c.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark

The very effrontery with which you fancy you are braving public opinion is only Dutch courage.

From Barrington Volume I (of II) by Lever, Charles James

Bridegroom, Dutch courage of, 72; driven to desperation, 83.

From How to be Happy Though Married Being a Handbook to Marriage by Hardy, Edward John

"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