go Dutch

Meaning

This expression means to share the cost of a meal or an activity equally, with each person paying for themselves. It is commonly used in casual social situations, like dining out with friends or colleagues. While it is completely acceptable among friends, some people might find it unromantic on a first date, so it should be used with awareness of the context.

Examples

• We decided to go Dutch on our first date so neither of us felt pressured.

  We decided to go Dutch on our first date so neither of us felt pressured.

• Don't worry about paying for my lunch; let's just go Dutch.

  Don't worry about paying for my lunch; let's just go Dutch.

• Whenever our group of friends eats out, we always go Dutch to keep things simple.

  Whenever our group of friends eats out, we always go Dutch to keep things simple.

• Are we going Dutch tonight, or is it your treat?

  Are we going Dutch tonight, or is it your treat?

• We went Dutch on the hotel room since we were sharing anyway.

  We went Dutch on the hotel room since we were sharing anyway.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let's go to Dutch tonight.

  ✓ Let's go Dutch tonight.

  Do not use the preposition 'to' before 'Dutch.' The phrase 'go Dutch' functions as an idiom where 'Dutch' acts as an adverbial adjective.

• ✗ We went Dutch the bill.

  ✓ We went Dutch on the bill.

  Use the preposition 'on' if you want to specify what you are splitting (e.g., 'go Dutch on the bill' or 'go Dutch on dinner').

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since it was just a casual lunch, we decided to ___.

  💡 Split the bill so everyone pays for themselves.

  Show answer

  go Dutch

• Do you want to ___ on the taxi ride home?

  💡 Share the fare equally.

  Show answer

  go Dutch