Dunkirk spirit
- noun
- /ˈdʌn.kɜːk ˈspɪr.ɪt/
- UK
:
espíritu de Dunkerque
- Despite the severe flooding, the village pulled together with true Dunkirk spirit to rebuild their homes.
Examples
-
In times of crisis, communities often rediscover their Dunkirk spirit and support one another.
-
Faced with cutbacks, the team maintained their Dunkirk spirit and delivered the project on time.
-
The community showed incredible Dunkirk spirit during the crisis.
-
After the flood, the town's Dunkirk spirit inspired everyone.
-
Despite the severe flooding, the village pulled together with true Dunkirk spirit to rebuild their homes.
-
Faced with cutbacks, the team maintained their Dunkirk spirit and delivered the project on time.
-
In times of crisis, communities often rediscover their Dunkirk spirit and support one another.
Synonyms
9
4.6
A person's ability to stay calm and keep trying during hard times
5
3.9
A strong will and courage to keep trying against difficulties
1
7.0
A brave, determined feeling when facing danger or difficulty
1
4.9
Brave actions when facing danger, pain or difficulty
1
4.5
A strong will to keep trying when things are hard
A determined, practical way of working hard and never giving up, often linked to people from the northern United States
How Determined
- UK
57
4.2
92
4.4
142
3.0
∞
1.4
52
4.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning relies on associating the quality of resilience and collective determination with the historical event 'Dunkirk' rather than compositional rules; 'spirit' alone suggests character, but the specific sense ('determination shown at Dunkirk') requires cultural/historical knowledge of the evacuation. Because a learner who only knows the literal meanings would need background about the event to infer the full sense, the expression is not fully transparent but has a recognizable associative link.
Etymology
Dunkirk spirit comes from 1940, when many small civilian boats sailed to Dunkirk to rescue trapped soldiers. Because ordinary people worked together and showed quiet courage, Dunkirk spirit now means a group's 'determination' and ability to 'pull together' in hard times.