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[0479] Go Dutch

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To share the cost of something, especially a meal or outing, with each person paying for their own expenses.

Origin

  • Emerged in the late 19th or early 20th century, likely in America.
  • It's part of a group of phrases (like Dutch courage, Dutch treat) that use Dutch pejoratively or stereotypically, stemming from historical Anglo-Dutch rivalries in the 17th century.
  • A Dutch treat originally meant an occasion where each person paid for themselves, perceived by the English as not a real 'treat'. Going Dutch evolved from this concept.
  • The implication, often unfair, was that the Dutch were stingy or had unusual customs regarding payment.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Split the bill
  • Pay separately
  • Separate checks (Specifically requesting this from a server)
  • Chip in / Pitch in (Contributing to a shared cost, often for a group purchase like pizza or a gift)
  • Share the cost

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Fifty-fifty (If splitting equally, not necessarily paying for own items)
  • Split it / Splitsies (Very informal)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Not applicable. It's a practical arrangement, not usually expressed with vulgarity.

Milder/Formal:

  • Pay individually
  • Share the expenses
  • Each pay their own way

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal. Very common in social situations like dining out with friends or colleagues.
  • Generally acceptable in most everyday contexts. The historical negative connotation towards the Dutch is largely forgotten or ignored by most speakers today, but some Dutch people might still find it mildly offensive. Using split the bill or pay separately avoids this entirely.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The connection to the Netherlands is purely historical/etymological; it doesn't imply anything about Dutch people today for most speakers.
  • Learners should understand it specifically means each person pays for their own share, which isn't always the same as splitting the total bill equally.

Examples

  • Let's just go Dutch on dinner tonight.
  • When I go out with my friends, we usually go Dutch.
  • He offered to pay, but I preferred to go Dutch.

Dialogue

Waiter: Are you ready for the bill?

Sarah: Yes, please. And could we go Dutch? Separate bills, please.

Waiter: Absolutely, no problem at all. I'll bring those right over.

Tom: (To Sarah) Thanks, makes it easier.

Social Media Examples

  • Twitter: Hot take: Going Dutch on the first date should be the default. Takes the pressure off everyone. #dating #relationships
  • Facebook event description: Group dinner meetup! We'll be going Dutch, so please bring cash or be ready to Venmo. :)
  • Reddit comment (r/AmItheAsshole): AITA for suggesting we go Dutch when my friend ordered way more expensive food than me?

Response Patterns

  • Agreement: Okay, sounds good., Sure, works for me., Yep, let's do that.
  • Mild surprise/Offer to pay: Oh, are you sure? I can get this., No, no, let me treat you.
  • Clarification: So, separate checks then?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Practical arrangements: Asking the server for separate bills (Can we go Dutch? or Separate checks, please?).
  • Calculating shares: If paying on one bill, figuring out who owes what.

Conversation Starter

  • No. A proposal or statement about how payment will be handled.

Intonation

  • Usually neutral, practical, or matter-of-fact.
  • Stress falls on GO and DUTCH.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across all generations. Younger generations might slightly favor split the bill or pay separately, but go Dutch is still very common.

Regional Variations

  • Common in North America and widely understood elsewhere (UK, Aus, etc.). In the UK, split the bill might be slightly more frequent.
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