Meaning & use
blot dry
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To press something soft such as paper or a cloth onto a wet surface until it becomes dry.
Grammar: Takes an object, and the object usually comes between the two words: blot it dry.
Patterns
- blot something dry
- blot something dry with something
- blot something dry on paper
After washing the mushrooms, blot them dry with a clean towel.
Blot the chicken dry before you put it in the hot pan, or it will not brown.
She blotted her face dry and put on her makeup.
verbtransitive
To remove liquid from a surface by gently pressing paper or cloth against it rather than rubbing.
Grammar: Often used in the passive or in instructions; the surface or object is the object of the verb.
Patterns
- blot something dry
- be blotted dry
The spilled ink was blotted dry before it could soak into the wood.
Use a paper towel to blot the wound dry, then cover it.
Word forms
| third person singular | blots dry |
|---|---|
| past tense | blotted dry |
| past participle | blotted dry |
| -ing form | blotting dry |
Common combinations
- blot something dry with a paper towel
- Blot the fish dry with a paper towel before frying.
- blot the surface dry
- Blot the surface dry so the paint will stick.
- pat something dry
- Pat the salad leaves dry instead of rubbing them.
- drain and blot dry
- Drain the beans and blot them dry.
- gently blot dry
- Gently blot the area dry with a soft cloth.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pat dry
- Very close in meaning, but 'pat dry' suggests light tapping with your hand or a cloth, while 'blot dry' stresses soaking up liquid with paper or cloth.
- wipe dry
- 'Wipe dry' means rubbing with a cloth until dry, which is firmer than the gentle pressing of 'blot dry'.
- dab dry
- 'Dab dry' is similar but usually means small, quick touches, often on skin or a small area.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: blot dry or blot out? blot dry or dry off?
blot dry vs blot out
'Blot out' means to cover or hide something completely, or to block light or a view; it does not mean to make something dry.
blot dry vs dry off
'Dry off' means to become dry or to dry yourself, often after washing; it does not involve pressing paper onto something.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'blot dry' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The object usually comes between the two parts of the phrasal verb: blot the table dry. Option 0 is possible but sounds awkward here, and options 2 and 3 use the wrong preposition pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “blot dry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.