Meaning & use
a dash of
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
a very small amount of something, especially a liquid or powder added to food or drink
Grammar: Followed by an uncountable noun: a dash of salt. Do not say 'a dash of eggs'.
Patterns
- a dash of something
Add a dash of lemon juice to the sauce.
She put a dash of cinnamon in her coffee.
The recipe calls for a dash of hot sauce.
phrasefixed phrasefigurative
a small amount of a quality that makes something more interesting or lively
Grammar: Used figuratively with abstract nouns: a dash of humor, a dash of style.
Patterns
- a dash of something
His speech had a dash of humor that kept everyone listening.
The room needs a dash of color.
Common combinations
- a dash of salt
- Add a dash of salt to the boiling water.
- a dash of vanilla
- The cake tastes better with a dash of vanilla.
- a dash of humor
- A dash of humor can make a serious talk easier to follow.
- a dash of color
- A dash of color on the walls brightened the room.
Synonyms and how they differ
- a pinch of
- Use 'a pinch of' for a tiny amount you can hold between your thumb and finger, usually of a dry powder like salt; 'a dash of' is more for liquids or a quick pour.
- a splash of
- A splash is a slightly larger, more noticeable amount of liquid; a dash is smaller and more subtle.
- a touch of
- A touch of is similar but can be used for abstract things and is slightly more formal or literary.
Commonly confused: a dash of or a dash?
a dash of vs a dash
As a noun, 'a dash' can mean a short fast run or a punctuation mark (–), not a small amount. The phrase 'a dash of' is the quantity expression.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'a dash of' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'A dash of' is followed by an uncountable noun like pepper, salt, or vanilla. 'Eggs' and 'students' are countable, and 'a dash of' is not used for running.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a dash of”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.