dash
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to run or move somewhere very quickly because you are in a hurry.
v.to move with sudden speed or to rush a short distance.
Simple“I have to dash to the shops before they close for the evening.”
In context“The commuters dashed across the platform as the whistle blew, desperate to board the final train of the night.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to destroy someone's hopes or dreams.
v.to frustrate or destroy something, especially hopes, dreams, or expectations.
Simple“The sudden rain dashed our hopes of having a picnic in the park.”
In context“The rejection letter effectively dashed his aspirations of attending the prestigious academy this year.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a horizontal line (—) used in writing to separate parts of a sentence.
n.a punctuation mark used to indicate a break in thought, a parenthetical element, or an omission.
Simple“You can use a dash to add an extra thought at the end of your sentence.”
In context“The author frequently employed the em-dash to create a conversational, slightly fragmented narrative style.”
UsageIn formal writing, distinguish between the shorter en-dash and the longer em-dash.
Synonymshyphen - 05 B1 Intermediate
n.a very small amount of something, usually a liquid or a spice.
n.a small quantity of a substance added to something else, often for flavour.
Simple“Add a dash of salt to the soup to bring out the flavour.”
In context“The bartender finished the cocktail with a dash of bitters and a twist of lemon peel.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the control panel in front of the driver in a car.
n.a shortened, informal term for a dashboard in a vehicle or a digital interface.
Simple“The warning light on the dash started flashing as soon as I turned the key.”
In context“Modern electric vehicles often feature a minimalist dash dominated by a single large touchscreen.”