411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
Dunkirk spirit
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
English
thumb|200px|right|Rescued British troops gathered in a barge at Dunkirk
Etymology
The phrase came into use following the evacuation of allied troops across the English Channel by flotillas of pleasure boats, working barges and other civilian craft at the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940.
Pronunciation
en en-au-Dunkirk spirit.ogg AU
Noun
-
en UK idiomatic The spirit of the British public pulling together to overcome times of adversity.
Related terms
en Dunkirk jack
en terms derived from toponyms