dash

A horizontal line used in writing to separate words, parts of sentences, or numbers.

• Put a dash before the last phrase.
• She used two dashes to mark a break in the sentence.
• Is that a dash or a hyphen?

Common phrases: em dash, en dash, insert a dash

A short, fast run, sometimes as a race.

• We made a dash for the door.
• She won the hundred metre dash.
• His sudden dash across the road startled the drivers.

How to use it: a dash for something (We made a dash for the bus.); a dash to something (It was a short dash to the shelter.)

Similar words: sprint, rush

Common phrases: make a dash, hundred metre dash, dash for freedom

A very small amount of something added to food or drink.

• Add a dash of salt.
• I like a dash of milk in my tea.
• She stirred a few dashes of hot sauce into the soup.

How to use it: a dash of something (Add a dash of lemon juice to the sauce.)

Similar words: drop, splash, touch

Common phrases: dash of salt, dash of milk, dash of pepper

The panel in front of a driver that holds the car’s controls and displays.

• My keys are on the dash.
• A warning light appeared on the dash.
• He wiped dust from the car’s dash.

Similar words: dashboard, instrument panel

Common phrases: car dash, on the dash, dash lights

A small amount of a particular quality mixed with other qualities.

• Her speech had a dash of humour.
• The scarf adds a dash of colour.
• He brings a dash of charm to every meeting.

How to use it: a dash of something (The story combines adventure with a dash of romance.)

Similar words: touch, hint, trace

Common phrases: dash of humour, dash of charm, dash of colour

Lively, confident energy that attracts attention or admiration.

• The young officer was full of dash.
• She rode with dash and confidence.
• His youthful dash impressed the guests.

Similar words: flair, spirit, verve, panache

Common phrases: full of dash, youthful dash, dash and spirit

To run or move quickly, usually over a short distance.

• She dashed to the door.
• We dashed across the street before the lights changed.
• The children are dashing around the garden.

How to use it: dash to/into/out of somewhere (She dashed into the kitchen to answer the phone.); dash across something (He dashed across the road to catch the bus.)

Similar words: rush, sprint, race

Common phrases: dash across something, dash to something, dash off, dash past someone

To destroy someone’s hopes, plans, or chances of success.

• The news dashed our hopes.
• Rain dashed their plans for a picnic.
• His dreams of playing professionally were dashed by injury.

How to use it: dash someone’s hopes of doing something (The injury dashed her hopes of winning the race.)

Similar words: ruin, destroy, shatter

Common phrases: dash someone’s hopes, dash someone’s dreams, dash someone’s expectations