a dash of flour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dash of flour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a small amount of flour needed for a recipe or cooking instructions. Example: "For the cake, you will need a dash of flour to help bind the ingredients together."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A dash of chickpea flour serves as the binder, and then it's all topped with peanuts, garlic, fresh as well as fried, and peanut oil.

The New York Times

ricotta 300g caster sugar 200g salt a pinch egg 1 yolk orange 1, juice and zest vanilla pod 1, seeds scraped out (or a dash of vanilla extract) 00 flour 200g, sifted hazelnuts 75g, finely ground hazelnuts 100g, roughly chopped baking powder 1 tsp dark chocolate 100g Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4 and grease and line a 25x9cm loaf tin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You may require a dash of water or a sprinkle of flour to help the dough come together after adding the egg.

WikiHow

Mix up the flour with a dash of salt and pepper, and now roll the kidneys and the beef in the flour, just coating the meats' surfaces.

HuffPost

Dry the pieces and dredge in flour to which a dash of salt and pepper has been added and brown them in cooking oil in a skillet.

The New York Times - Sports

Dip them in a simple batter (flour, salt, pepper, a dash of olive oil, whisked with enough water or beer to get a thick paint consistency), deep-fry in sunflower oil for a minute or two until crisp and golden brown, sprinkle with sea salt and devour with a glass of chilled rosé.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The "imitation blueberry pieces" you see on the package are simply flour, sugars and a dash of coloring.

Huffington Post

She gathers firewood for cooking fuel and prepares the breakfast of fresh rotis using wheat flour, water and a dash of salt.

Unicef

The process involves combining corn flour and water with a dash of salt, flattening out the dough and placing it in a waffle cone maker for a minute and a half.

Huffington Post

Pittu pots are built like stove-top espresso makers: they have a base for water and a tall cylindrical top, into which the pittu mixture -- rice flour, grated coconut, salt and a dash of water -- is tamped.

The New York Times

A dash of M.C.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dash of flour" when you need just a small amount to slightly thicken a sauce or prevent dough from sticking.

Common error

Avoid using "a dash of flour" when precision is crucial. For critical baking recipes, always measure flour accurately using measuring cups or a kitchen scale for predictable results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dash of flour" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a modifier within a recipe or culinary instruction. It specifies an imprecise, small quantity of flour, indicating that exact measurement is not critical, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

21%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dash of flour" is a common culinary term indicating a small, imprecise amount of flour. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and typically used in informal contexts such as recipes. The phrase's primary function is to instruct the addition of flour, usually to adjust consistency or prevent sticking. While authoritative sources like the New York Times and The Guardian utilize the term, it's essential to remember that "a dash" implies inexactness, making precise measurement alternatives like "a tablespoon of flour" more appropriate when accuracy is critical. Related terms include ""a sprinkle of flour"" and ""a pinch of flour"", offering similar implications of small quantities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sprinkle of flour

Emphasizes a light, scattered application of flour.

a pinch of flour

Indicates a very small, measured amount of flour, often held between the fingers.

a dusting of flour

Suggests a fine coating of flour, typically used to prevent sticking.

a light coating of flour

More descriptive, specifying a thin layer of flour.

a scant amount of flour

Highlights the small quantity of flour being used.

a touch of flour

Implies a subtle addition of flour, barely noticeable.

a small quantity of flour

More formal, indicating a limited amount of flour.

a trace of flour

Emphasizes the minimal presence of flour.

a hint of flour

Suggests a subtle flavor or texture contribution from the flour.

a bit of flour

A simple, informal way to indicate a small amount of flour.

FAQs

How to use "a dash of flour" in a sentence?

You can use "a dash of flour" in recipes or cooking instructions when a small amount of flour is needed, for example: "Add "a dash of flour" to the sauce to thicken it slightly."

What can I say instead of "a dash of flour"?

Alternatives include "a sprinkle of flour", "a pinch of flour", or "a dusting of flour", depending on the context and how the flour is applied.

Is it more accurate to say "a dash of flour" or "a tablespoon of flour"?

"A dash of flour" implies an inexact, small amount, while "a tablespoon of flour" is a specific measurement. Use "a tablespoon of flour" when accuracy is important.

When is it appropriate to use "a dash of flour" in a recipe?

It's appropriate when you're adjusting consistency or texture and don't need a precise measurement. For example, adding "a dash of flour" to a gravy that's too thin.