a dip at

USAGE SUMMARY

"a dip at" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English and can be used to indicate that someone has taken a momentary or temporary dip in a particular activity.
For example, "She took a dip at surfing during her beach vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Take a dip at these weird and wonderful holiday spots.

Independent

Who doesn't have a dip at 18 years of age?

The Guardian - Sport

A dip at the Shore is invariably refreshing.

The New York Times

If so, could anyone take a dip, at any time?

The New York Times - Travel

Until then he suggests taking a dip at this lake, one of several at nearby Watermead Country Park.

Independent

You might routinely take a dip at the local pool or nip down to the corner shop.

The Guardian

I swim in the pool at Marino Ridge and have a dip at Palm beach, east of Oneroa.

The Guardian - Travel

The sea is at a refreshing temperature for a dip at Castel Plage on the sweeping Baie des Anges.

The Guardian - Travel

Or take a dip at the Hilton's chic new pool (open for a day fee to non-residents, Leof Vas Sofias 46, 210 728 1000, athens.hilton.com).hilton.com

The Guardian - Travel

Legend has it that outlaw Billy the Kid would take a dip at the swimming hole before heading into Santa Rosa.

The Guardian

The Chandrayaan-1 data looked at sunlight reflected off the Moon's surface and found a dip at a wavelength where water and hydroxyl absorb infrared light.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dip at" to describe a brief or casual involvement in an activity or a temporary decrease in a specific area, ensuring the context aligns with the casual and transient nature of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a dip at" in formal or professional writing where a more precise or sophisticated term might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "there was a dip at sales", you might write "there was a decrease in sales".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dip at" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes the location or time of an action, as seen in the Ludwig examples of taking "a dip at" the beach or pool.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dip at" is a common prepositional phrase used to describe a brief engagement or a temporary decrease. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral contexts and less appropriate for highly formal writing, where more precise alternatives may be preferred. Its frequency in news and media sources underscores its broad applicability in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plunge in

Emphasizes a sudden and significant drop or immersion, suggesting a more intense experience than a simple dip.

a quick swim in

Specifically refers to swimming, making it suitable for contexts involving water activities.

a short bathe in

Similar to swimming, but can also imply a more relaxed and leisurely experience in water.

a brief immersion in

More formal and can be used in a broader range of contexts, not limited to water.

a temporary setback at

Shifts the meaning to a decline or difficulty encountered in a specific area.

a slight decline in

Focuses on a reduction or decrease, often used in statistical or economic contexts.

a momentary lapse in

Implies a brief failure or interruption in an activity or performance.

a fleeting visit to

Highlights the transient nature of an engagement with a place or activity.

a passing involvement in

Suggests a casual and non-committal participation in something.

a trial participation at

Suggests a first time try something at one place or more

FAQs

How can I use "a dip at" in a sentence?

You can use "a dip at" to describe a brief engagement or a slight decrease. For example, "I took "a dip at the beach"" or "The company experienced "a dip at profits" last quarter.

What are some alternatives to "a dip at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a plunge in", "a quick swim in", or "a slight decline in".

Is "a dip at" formal or informal?

"A dip at" leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a brief immersion in" or "a temporary setback at" for greater precision.

What does "a dip at" mean?

"A dip at" generally means taking a brief dive into something, like an activity or water, or experiencing a slight reduction in something like performance or sales. The exact nuance depends heavily on context.