Dutch treat

noun, Sometimes Offensive.
1.
a meal or entertainment for which each person pays his or her own expenses.
Origin
1870-75
Usage note
A Dutch treat is not a treat at all. Because Dutch is used here to negate the concept of a generous treat, the term is sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Dutch. See also Dutch.
British Dictionary definitions for Dutch treat

Dutch treat

noun
1.
(informal) an entertainment, meal, etc, where each person pays for himself
Dutch treat in Culture

Dutch treat definition


An outing or date on which each person pays his or her own way. To “go Dutch” is to go on such a date.

Slang definitions & phrases for Dutch treat

Dutch treat

adverb

: We'll eat Dutch treat tonight

noun phrase

A meal, show, etc, where each person pays his or her own way (1887+)

Related Terms

go dutch


go Dutch

verb phrase

To pay one's own way at a dinner, show, etc: Nobody had much money, so we all went Dutch (1914+)


Idioms and Phrases with Dutch treat

Dutch treat

An outing or date in which each person pays his or her own expenses. For example, Her parents agreed that she might date if it were a Dutch treat. The related expression go Dutch means “to go on a date with each person paying their own way,” as in Students often elect to go Dutch. The first term dates from about 1870, and the variant from the early 1900s.