a big dip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big dip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant decrease or decline in something, such as prices, performance, or levels. Example: "The stock market experienced a big dip last week, causing concern among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The Mets' viewership on SNY also took a big dip.

The New York Times - Sports

There was a big dip in investment in the 1990s.

The Guardian

Glimcher's revenue is rising again after a big dip during the recession.

The New York Times

Manufacturing has strengthened after a big dip during the worst of the eurozone crisis in November and December.

The Guardian - Business

"What's happened is probably because of the long schedule of training – there was a big dip not long after.

The Guardian - Sport

MAIR: Credit-crunch wise, what we are seeing at the moment is a big dip in club memberships.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Its beak is like something from a cartoon, like a big dipping ladle, and the way the two parts of it come together is like cartoon scissors.

The New Yorker

Sujan Hajra, chief economist and executive director of institutional equity at Anand Rathi Financial Services in Mumbai: The numbers were mostly in line with our prediction, though we had expected higher growth in manufacturing and a bigger dip in services.

The New York Times

Few Everton players have suffered a bigger dip in form than Nikica Jelavic and the Croatian striker was denied his first top-flight goal since 9 December when goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, starting his first Premier League match for five years, saved well with his body in a one-on-one situation.

BBC

It's a rebound from a very big dip last year.

Forbes

That's a pretty big dip in cost, and should go a ways toward getting the system into the hands of those of us who aren't pro athletes.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big dip", follow it with context to indicate the reason or cause of the dip if known or provide relevant information.

Common error

Don't use "a big dip" repeatedly in close proximity without providing specific details or varying the phrasing. Overuse can diminish the impact. Use alternatives like "significant decrease" or "sharp drop" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big dip" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a noticeable and significant decrease or decline. Ludwig AI shows this phrase is often used to describe fluctuations in various metrics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Business

14%

Sports

11%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big dip" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant decrease or decline. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in news and media contexts to highlight drops in areas like sales, viewership, or investment. While generally neutral in tone, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "substantial decline" in professional settings. When using "a big dip", it's important to provide specific details and context to enhance its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial decline

Replaces "big" with "substantial" emphasizing the significance of the decrease.

a sharp drop

Uses "sharp drop" to highlight the suddenness and severity of the decrease.

a significant downturn

Replaces "dip" with "downturn", framing the decrease as a negative trend.

a major decrease

Substitutes "big" with "major", focusing on the magnitude of the reduction.

a considerable fall

Employs "considerable fall" to denote a noticeable and impactful decline.

a steep decline

Highlights the rapid rate of the decrease using "steep".

a marked reduction

Uses "marked reduction" to emphasize the clear and observable nature of the decrease.

a considerable decrease

Replaces "big" with "considerable", stressing the noteworthiness of the decrease.

a large decrease

Uses "large" instead of "big" to quantify the extent of reduction.

a notable decline

Suggests the decline is worthy of attention and recognition.

FAQs

What does "a big dip" mean?

"A big dip" refers to a significant decrease or decline, often in a measurable quantity such as sales, ratings, or investment. It implies a noticeable and potentially concerning drop.

When is it appropriate to use "a big dip" in writing?

Use "a big dip" when you want to emphasize a noticeable and impactful decline in something quantifiable. For example, "The company experienced "a big dip" in profits after the scandal".

What can I say instead of "a big dip"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial decline", "a sharp drop", or "a significant downturn", depending on the context.

Is "a big dip" formal or informal?

"A big dip" is generally considered neutral in tone. While not overly formal, it's acceptable in many contexts, including news articles and business reports. More formal alternatives exist if a more professional tone is needed.