a dash of red

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dash of red" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a small amount of something, often in the context of cooking, art, or design to indicate a slight addition of color or flavor. Example: "To enhance the dish, add a dash of red chili powder for a bit of heat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

A dash of red matched the models' scarlet lips.

The New York Times

A wiggle, a wobble, a dash of red, a blotch of blue.

The Guardian

A dash of red in her dress, blue in his thick-ribbed jumper – and is that The Yellow Pages?

Independent

When it turns brown, add a crushed garlic clove and veggie stock, a dash of red wine, and seasoning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sourness from a dash of red wine vinegar just before serving can lift a rich, savoury gravy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Serve sprinkled with chopped parsley and a dressing of 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 crushed garlic clove, a dash of red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and creme fraiche.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I insert the needle, there's a little sting, pull back on the plunger, and a dash of red-blue blood snakes up the middle of the clear liquid.

Huffington Post

There's a little sting as I pull back on the plunger, and a dash of red-blue blood snakes up the middle of the clear liquid.

HuffPost

The flying colors, though, were the grays and creams of the house, mixed with palest blue and a dash of poppy red.

The New York Times

A bed of caramelised cauliflower added an earthy counterpoint to both the natural sweetness of the fish and the lobster vinaigrette, which itself brought a dash of vibrant red to the dish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Broken by a dash of bright red lipstick.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dash of red" in creative writing, consider the emotional impact of the color. Red can symbolize passion, danger, or excitement, so choose your context carefully to evoke the desired feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "a dash of red" too frequently, as it can become cliché. Vary your descriptions with other colors and descriptive terms to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dash of red" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to describe the addition of a small quantity of the color red. Ludwig indicates its use in describing slight additions of color or flavor.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

The Guardian - Lifestyle

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dash of red" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a small amount of the color red. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly used in fashion, cooking, and design contexts to add a touch of vibrancy or emphasis. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various writing styles. Although the phrase is not particularly frequent, it is well-understood and adds a specific nuance to descriptions. Alternatives like "a hint of red" or "a touch of red" can be used for a more subtle effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of red

Replaces "dash" with "hint", implying a slightly more subtle addition.

a touch of red

Substitutes "dash" with "touch", suggesting an even lighter application.

a splash of red

Uses "splash" instead of "dash", conveying a more noticeable, less precise addition.

a spot of red

Employs "spot" in place of "dash", indicating a small, localized area of red.

a streak of red

Replaces "dash" with "streak", suggesting a line or stripe of red.

a fleck of red

Substitutes "dash" with "fleck", implying a tiny particle or speck of red.

a whisper of red

Uses "whisper" to replace "dash", suggesting a very subtle and delicate hint of red.

a trace of red

Replaces "dash" with "trace", indicating a minimal amount of red, almost imperceptible.

a suggestion of red

Employs "suggestion" instead of "dash", implying an indirect or subtle presence of red.

an accent of red

Replaces "dash" with "accent", suggesting the red is used to emphasize or highlight something.

FAQs

How can I use "a dash of red" in a sentence?

You can use "a dash of red" to describe adding a small amount of red color or flavor to something. For example, "She added "a dash of red" lipstick to complete her look" or "The chef included "a dash of red" pepper flakes for extra spice".

What are some alternatives to "a dash of red"?

Alternatives include "a hint of red", "a touch of red", or "a splash of red". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of intensity you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a dash of red" or "a hint of red"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "A dash of red" implies a small but noticeable amount, while "a hint of red" suggests something more subtle and understated. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

In what contexts is "a dash of red" most commonly used?

"A dash of red" is commonly used in contexts related to fashion, cooking, and design, where a small amount of red is added to enhance or complete something. According to Ludwig, it's frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and the lifestyle sections of publications like The Guardian.