ENGLISH
REFERENCE

Dutch reckoning

idiom
Meaning

A (falsified) bill that is not itemised, and that is unjustifiably high.


Examples
SIMPLE

The waiter gave us a Dutch reckoning for the meal.

CONTEXTUAL

We were shocked by the final total, which looked like a classic Dutch reckoning with no prices listed.

COMPLEX

The merchant presented a suspicious Dutch reckoning, forcing the traveler to pay a sum far exceeding the actual value of the goods received.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    Dutch courage

    The courage or bravado induced by alcohol.

  2. 02

    go Dutch

    To pay for one's own food and bills, or split the cost, when eating at a restaurant or going out for entertainment.

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