dash
dash — verb
1. to move from one place to another very quickly, usually because you are in a hur
to move from one place to another very quickly, usually because you are in a hurry or need to do something urgently.
Lara dashed across the playground when the bell rang for lunch.
dash + across [place] for urgent movement
Selim heard the thunder and dashed inside before the rain started.
dash + inside/outside for shelter
The cat dashed under the sofa when the doorbell rang.
Mira dashed to the station but still missed her train by one minute.
Baraka dashed out of the room right after the meeting to take a call.
- amble
walk slowly without urgency
文法句型
dash + adverb/preposition (across/into/out of/through)
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a direction word (across, into, out of, through, to) that tells where the movement goes. Unlike 'run,' dash always suggests a sense of urgency or purpose.
常見錯誤
2. to hit or knock an object violently, frequently resulting in damage or breakage.
to hit or knock an object violently, frequently resulting in damage or breakage.
Waves dashed against the rocks during the storm, sending spray into the air.
dash + against [surface] for forceful impact
Christopher accidentally dashed the glass vase against the table and it shattered.
dash + object + against [surface]
The old wooden boat was dashed to pieces on the sharp coral reef.
A wave dashed a pile of shells onto the beach during the high tide.
- tap
light, gentle contact
文法句型
dash + object + against/into + something
be dashed against/into
用法筆記
Common in literary or descriptive writing about weather and nature ('waves dashed,' 'rain dashed against'). The passive form 'be dashed against/into' is frequent when describing destruction of objects.
常見錯誤
3. to completely destroy or ruin someone's hopes, plans, or confidence, making them
to completely destroy or ruin someone's hopes, plans, or confidence, making them feel disappointed.
The injury dashed all hopes of Eri becoming a professional dancer.
dash + all hopes of + [goal]
Bad weather dashed their plans for an outdoor wedding ceremony.
dash + [someone's] plans
News of the budget cuts dashed the team's hopes for new laboratory equipment.
Joaquín's dream of studying abroad was dashed when his visa application was rejected.
- fulfil
make a dream or hope come true
文法句型
dash + someone's + hopes/dreams/plans
dash + all hope of + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Object is always an abstract noun or noun phrase (hopes, dreams, plans, spirits, confidence). Frequently used in the passive voice. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (GO QUICKLY) by the abstract object — you cannot dash hopes across a room.
常見錯誤
4. to add a small quantity of a liquid or powder to food or drink, usually to impro
to add a small quantity of a liquid or powder to food or drink, usually to improve its flavour.
Gita dashed a little soy sauce into the soup for extra flavour.
dash + [ingredient] + into [food]
Trang dashed some lemon juice over the grilled fish before serving it.
The recipe says to dash a pinch of salt into the egg mixture.
Alessia dashed a splash of milk into her coffee and stirred it slowly.
文法句型
dash + noun + into/over + food/drink
用法筆記
Primarily used in cooking contexts. The amount is always small and imprecise — unlike 'pour' or 'add,' which can be any quantity. The object is typically a small countable amount (a dash, a splash, a pinch) rather than a measured unit.
dash — noun
1. a sudden, quick movement from one place to another, usually to reach somewhere o
a sudden, quick movement from one place to another, usually to reach somewhere or escape something.
When the rain started, Eri made a dash for the nearest shop doorway.
make a dash for [place/shelter]
Jisoo made a dash to the post office before it closed at five o'clock.
make a dash to [destination]
There was a sudden dash for the exit when the fire alarm went off.
The goalkeeper made a desperate dash to stop the ball from crossing the line.
文法句型
make a dash for [place]
a dash to [place]
用法筆記
Almost always follows 'make a dash' when describing a person's movement. The preposition 'for' indicates a destination or goal; 'to' indicates a place. The expression is also common in sports for a short burst of speed.
常見錯誤
2. a competition in which runners cover a brief distance, usually 100 or 200 metres
a competition in which runners cover a brief distance, usually 100 or 200 metres, at maximum speed.
Lara won the 100-metre dash at the school sports day with a new record.
[distance]-metre dash — race format
The relay dash requires four runners to pass a baton between them.
Baraka trained for months to improve his time in the 200-metre dash.
The Olympic 100-metre dash is one of the most-watched events in athletics.
- marathon
a long-distance race of 42 kilometres
文法句型
[number]-metre dash
the 100-metre dash
用法筆記
Almost always used with a specific distance (100-metre dash, 200-metre dash). In athletics events, 'dash' is the standard term for short sprints. Distinguish from noun sense 1 (QUICK RUN) by the competitive context.
常見錯誤
3. a long horizontal mark (— or –) that writers place between words or clauses to i
a long horizontal mark (— or –) that writers place between words or clauses to indicate a pause, add a comment, or set off a new thought.
Use a dash — like this — to add extra information in the middle of a sentence.
dash — ... — for parenthetical information
The writer used dashes instead of brackets throughout the article for a more natural flow.
A dash can show a sudden change of thought in the middle of a sentence.
In typing, an em dash is longer than a hyphen and has different uses.
- hyphen
shorter line (-) used to join words, not separate clauses
文法句型
use a dash
separated by a dash
用法筆記
Do not confuse with 'hyphen' (-), which is shorter. The em dash (—) is used for breaks in thought; the en dash (–) is used for number ranges. In informal writing, some people type two hyphens (--) instead of a dash.
常見錯誤
4. in Morse code, the extended signal — a longer beep or flash — that combines with
in Morse code, the extended signal — a longer beep or flash — that combines with shorter dots to spell letters and words.
In Morse code, a dash lasts three times longer than a dot does.
dash vs dot duration in Morse code
The sailor sent a message with dots and dashes on his radio.
dots and dashes — Morse code signals
Baraka learned to recognise the different patterns of dots and dashes in Morse code messages.
The emergency signal SOS is three dots, three dashes, and three dots.
- dot
the shorter signal in Morse code
文法句型
dots and dashes
用法筆記
Almost always occurs as part of the pair 'dots and dashes.' This sense is specialised and limited to Morse code contexts; most learners will encounter it in history or amateur radio lessons.
5. a tiny, roughly measured quantity of an ingredient that gives flavour to a dish
a tiny, roughly measured quantity of an ingredient that gives flavour to a dish or drink, or a small quality added to something abstract to make it more interesting.
Add a dash of cinnamon to the cake mixture for a warm, sweet taste.
a dash of [spice/ingredient] in cooking
Selim likes his coffee with just a dash of milk and no sugar at all.
A dash of lemon juice brightens the flavour of any grilled fish dish.
Her speech had a dash of humour that kept the audience entertained throughout.
- load
a large, vague amount
文法句型
a dash of [ingredient/flavour/quality]
用法筆記
Can be used literally (cooking, drinks) or figuratively (a dash of humour, a dash of colour). In recipes, a 'dash' is sometimes loosely defined as about 1/8 of a teaspoon, but it is not a precise measurement. Distinguish from verb sense 4 (ADD SMALL AMOUNT), where the verb describes the action of adding; here the noun is the amount itself.
常見錯誤
6. a combination of stylish appearance, energetic confidence, and natural charm in
a combination of stylish appearance, energetic confidence, and natural charm in the way a person behaves or presents themselves.
Mira always dresses with dash and confidence, even on casual Fridays.
with dash — manner adverb
The young designer showed real dash in her bold first fashion collection.
Christopher walked into the room with great dash and charmed everyone he met.
Her bold use of colour gives the paintings a sense of dash and creative energy.
- awkwardness
lack of grace or confidence
文法句型
with dash
have dash
用法筆記
Fairly formal or literary. Often paired with synonyms in lists ('dash and confidence,' 'dash and charm'). The related idiom 'cut a dash' (see idioms above) is more common in everyday British English for the same meaning of stylish appearance.
7. the flat surface inside a vehicle, situated behind the steering wheel, that hold
the flat surface inside a vehicle, situated behind the steering wheel, that holds the speedometer, controls, and other driving instruments.
Selim glanced at the dash to check how much fuel was left in the tank.
check the dash for information
A red warning light appeared on the car's dash during the long drive.
Trang left her sunglasses on the dash while she went into the shop.
The speedometer on the dash showed they were driving well over the speed limit.
- dashboard
the full, formal term; always appropriate
文法句型
on the dash
the car's dash
用法筆記
Shortened form of 'dashboard.' Very common in informal spoken English when referring to car interiors. The full word 'dashboard' is preferred in formal or written automotive contexts.
dash — exclamation
1. a mild expression of annoyance, frustration, or disappointment, similar to 'damn
a mild expression of annoyance, frustration, or disappointment, similar to 'damn' but much less offensive.
Dash it! I left my keys on the kitchen table and locked myself out.
Dash it! — set phrase for frustration
Oh dash! The cake has burned in the oven while I was on the phone.
Dash it all! I have missed the last train home by two minutes.
Dash it! My phone battery died just as I needed to call a taxi.
文法句型
Dash it!
Oh dash!
Dash it all!
用法筆記
Now considered old-fashioned and slightly quaint. Most commonly used by older British speakers or in historical fiction. Younger speakers typically use stronger or more modern expressions. Do not use in formal writing.