flying dutchman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/RareLiterary, Figurative, Nautical, Informal (for the metaphorical use).
Quick answer
What does “flying dutchman” mean?
A legendary ghost ship condemned to sail the seas forever, unable to make port.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A legendary ghost ship condemned to sail the seas forever, unable to make port.
1. Any ghost ship or phantom vessel in maritime folklore. 2. (Informal) A person who is perpetually travelling or seems never to settle. 3. In contexts like sports or business, a highly agile, elusive, or unpredictable competitor or entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The legend is equally known in both cultures due to its prominence in Western literature and opera.
Connotations
Primarily evokes maritime mystery, doom, and the supernatural. The informal metaphorical use ('He's a bit of a Flying Dutchman') might be slightly more common in British English, drawing on nautical heritage.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects, mostly confined to discussions of folklore, literature, or as a vivid metaphor.
Grammar
How to Use “flying dutchman” in a Sentence
[the] Flying Dutchman + [verb of perception] (saw, spotted)[the] Flying Dutchman + [verb of being] (is, was, appears as)like the Flying Dutchman (simile)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flying dutchman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - Not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - Not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He has a sort of Flying Dutchman existence, never in one port for more than a week.
American English
- The team's Flying Dutchman offense was impossible for the defense to pin down.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could metaphorically describe a perpetually restructuring company or a nomadic executive: 'The CEO became the Flying Dutchman of the tech world, never staying at one firm for long.'
Academic
Used in literature, folklore, and maritime history studies to discuss the specific legend and its cultural impact.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used as a colourful metaphor for someone who is never home or is always travelling.
Technical
In sailing/maritime contexts, used to name the legendary ship. In chess, a specific problem theme. In baseball, a 'Flying Dutchman' is a nickname for a great knuckleball pitcher (e.g., Dutch Leonard).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flying dutchman”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flying dutchman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flying dutchman”
- Using lowercase ('flying dutchman').
- Confusing it with a real historical ship or person.
- Using it to mean simply 'a fast ship' without the supernatural or cursed connotation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is entirely a figure of maritime folklore and legend, though inspired by real dangers of the Cape of Good Hope.
The legend originated in the 17th-century Golden Age of Dutch maritime exploration and trade, so the doomed captain and ship were naturally conceptualised as Dutch.
Yes, but it's a literary or informal metaphor. It describes someone who wanders constantly or is elusive and hard to pin down.
Traditionally, yes. Sighting the phantom ship was believed to foretell doom, disaster, or death for the observers.
A legendary ghost ship condemned to sail the seas forever, unable to make port.
Flying dutchman is usually literary, figurative, nautical, informal (for the metaphorical use). in register.
Flying dutchman: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈdʌtʃ.mən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈdʌtʃ.mən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] a Flying Dutchman of [something]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DUTCHMAN FLYING forever over the waves in his ship, never able to land.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERPETUAL, UNAVOIDABLE MOVEMENT IS A SEA VOYAGE WITHOUT END. / ELUSIVENESS IS A GHOST SHIP.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of the Flying Dutchman in its original legend?