dash of blue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dash of blue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of blue color added to something, often in artistic or decorative contexts. Example: "The artist added a dash of blue to the canvas to create a sense of depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Fashion

Cooking

Nature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Three colors proved to be favorites: chartreuse, followed by an almost fluorescent orange, and a dash of blue, particularly in shoes and bags.

The New York Times

"I haven't done chintz in a long time, but the colors were divine — raspberry, mauve and a dash of blue," Ms. Moss said.

The New York Times - Arts

This innovation, the hotel said, is made with a "dash of blue Curacao to give it a blue silver hue" in honor of the blue livery of the new train, and is served in a silver shaker.

The New York Times - Travel

I took a guided walk beneath the dense forest canopy, treading lightly in the hope of catching a brilliant dash of blue — the fluttering of a malachite kingfisher — against the wall of green.

The New York Times - Travel

This rust-brown portfolio with a gold Mets logo, gold clip and nary a dash of blue or orange has, over the decades, smoothed out mushed junior high homework, held my résumé during job interviews and housed book chapters that awaited editing.

The New York Times - Sports

If you don't have any on hand, you can substitute any orange-flavored liqueur and add a dash of blue food coloring to give your drink its distinctive hue.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Spector characterized Angelou's music as "calypso style with a liberal sprinkling of Afro-Cuban, and a dash of blues mixed together with delicate jazz".

Wikipedia

Out flew three birds — a dash of yellow, two dashes of blue — and there was barely time for me to recognize what had happened before the colors had already disappeared in the sky.

The New Yorker

His skill is to make coats and dresses appear simple — a compass twirl of shoulders above straight-line hips and simple colors like black and white, with a dash of cobalt blue.

The New York Times

With the tomboy beauty of a young Glenda Jackson, Ms. Jongerius obeys industrial design's no-nonsense dress code: black on black, with the occasional dash of cobalt blue.

The New York Times

Where in the first half they had tried to pass their way through and around Sevilla's holding midfield pair of Stephane Mbia and Daniel Carriço – on loan from QPR and Reading respectively, a bizarre dash of Championship blue and white in a European final – they went more and more direct.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dash of blue" to evoke a sense of subtle yet impactful color addition, particularly in contexts where visual appeal is paramount, such as describing fashion, art, or nature.

Common error

Avoid using "dash of blue" excessively in writing. While it can be effective, overuse may dilute its impact. Vary your descriptions with synonyms or alternative phrasings to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dash of blue" primarily functions as a descriptive element, often serving as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a subtle but noticeable addition of the color blue, as seen in Ludwig's examples, such as describing the addition of blue in fashion or art.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dash of blue" is a grammatically correct and descriptively effective expression used to denote a small but noticeable presence of the color blue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's utilized across diverse contexts, from fashion and arts to nature, primarily to enhance visual descriptions. Though relatively uncommon, its impact lies in the subtle nuance it adds. Related phrases, such as "hint of blue" or "touch of blue", offer alternatives for varied descriptive effects. When using the phrase, keep it subtle and avoid overuse to maintain its stylistic impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hint of blue

Replaces "dash" with "hint", suggesting a slightly more subtle addition of blue.

touch of blue

Uses "touch" instead of "dash", implying a delicate addition of blue.

smattering of blue

Employs "smattering" to indicate a scattering or sprinkling of blue.

speck of blue

Replaces "dash" with "speck", referring to a tiny spot of blue.

flecks of blue

Indicates very small fragments of blue spread throughout.

tinge of blue

Suggests that blue lightly colors something.

undertone of blue

The blue is less visible and mainly influences the primary tone.

nuance of blue

The slight blue addition changes the overall expression.

splash of blue

Uses "splash" instead of "dash", indicating a more noticeable addition of blue.

streak of blue

A linear marking of blue.

FAQs

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

You can use "dash of blue" to describe a small amount of blue added to something, often to enhance its visual appeal. For example, "The artist added a "dash of blue" to the painting to create depth."

What can I say instead of "dash of blue"?

You can use alternatives like "hint of blue", "touch of blue", or "splash of blue" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "dash of blue"?

"Dash of blue" is suitable when you want to describe a subtle yet noticeable addition of the color blue. It works well in contexts involving aesthetics, design, and descriptive writing.

What's the difference between "dash of blue" and "splash of blue"?

While both phrases refer to adding blue, "dash of blue" implies a smaller, more subtle amount, whereas "splash of blue" suggests a larger, more noticeable quantity.