- Dutch uncle
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a person who criticizes or reproves with unsparing severity and frankness.[1820-30]
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Universalium. 2010.
Dutch uncle
Look at other dictionaries:
Dutch uncle — is a term for a person who issues frank, harsh, and severe comments and criticism to educate, encourage, or admonish someone. Thus, a Dutch uncle is a person who is rather the reverse of what is normally thought of as avuncular or uncle like… … Wikipedia
Dutch Uncle — is a Western novel written by American author Marilyn Durham and published in 1973. The novel followed up Durham s great success with her debut novel, The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, another Western also published by Harcourt. The protagonist,… … Wikipedia
dutch uncle — A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice … The small dictionary of idiomes
Dutch uncle — noun count INFORMAL someone who advises or criticizes a younger person in a severe way … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Dutch uncle — ► NOUN informal, chiefly N. Amer. ▪ a person giving firm but benevolent advice … English terms dictionary
Dutch uncle — n. Informal a person who bluntly and sternly lectures or scolds someone, often with benevolent intent … English World dictionary
Dutch uncle — /dʌtʃ ˈʌŋkəl/ (say duch ungkuhl) noun someone who offers concerned and disinterested advice at length: he talked to me like a Dutch uncle. {? from the stereotype of the Dutch and Germans as being sober and severe} …
Dutch uncle — n. someone who gives avuncular advice; a man who gives advice with the directness of one of one’s own relatives. □ If I can be a Dutch uncle for a minute, I could give you some good advice. □ Dutch uncles can be as big of a pain as parents … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
dutch uncle — A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice. (Dorking School Dictionary) … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
Dutch uncle — someone who reproves you sharply or gives you solemn advice, unlike the supposed geniality of real uncles I talked to him like a Dutch uncle. It doesn t seem to have done him any good. (Baron, 1948) … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
Dutch uncle — A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice … Dictionary of English idioms
