Fig.: to split the check equally; have each person pay for his/her own food and entertainment

Marina knew her boy-friend was short of money, so she suggested Dutch treat

Marina sapeva che il suo ragazzo era a corto di denaro, perciò ha proposto di fare alla romana

After the volleyball game all the players go out for a pizza with their friends and relatives, but they get separate checks

Dopo la partita di pallavolo tutti i giocatori, con i parenti e gli amici, vanno in pizzeria, però si fa alla romana e ognuno paga per sé

As none of the students who went out to lunch together had much money, they decided to go Dutch

Poiché nessuno degli studenti, usciti assieme a pranzo, aveva molto denaro, decisero di pagare alla romana

The word Dutch is found in many expressions with a derogatory meaning. The explanation of such bad references to the Dutch is to be found in the bitter Anglo-Dutch hostilities of the 17th century, due to trading and colonial rivalries. This phrase, in particular, came from American slang in the late 1800s. Some experts think that it originated from observing the habits of Dutch immigrants, who were very careful in spending their money