Dutchman's breeches

Definitions

1. A plant of the species Dicentra cucullaria, native to eastern North America and the Columbia River basin.
   plural, plural-only
2. A plant of the species Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formerly Dicentra spectabilis, similar to D. cucullaria, but red or pink.
   plural, plural-only
3. Something proverbially blue, used in phrases relating to a clear blue sky, as in "enough blue sky to make [or patch] a Dutchman's breeches", etc.
   colloquial, plural, plural-only
4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see Dutchman, -'s, breeches.
   plural, plural-only

Equivalents

Examples

“A Dutchman's breeches, in full taste⟳, / Two contrasted extremes divide⟳; / Buttons, like⟳ platters, at the waist, / And studs, like⟳ peas, along the side.”

“We have⟳ all heard it said of the Dutchman's breeches that they could be made to contain⟳ whatever objects could be forced through the pocket apertures, and the number⟳ of things that the Dutchman could stow away in the baggy recesses of his nether garments has always been a source of wonder⟳ to the foreigner.”

“Up went the jib and then the mainsail. Being home-made, they hung baggy as a Dutchman's breeches, but when I cast⟳ off the mooring lines the breeze blew out the wrinkles and everything was fine.”

CEFR level