dash off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dash off" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to write something quickly or hastily. Example: He dashed off a quick email to the boss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They dash off before I can say thanks.

The New Yorker

Another said: "He tends to dash off his letters without a great deal of consideration.

Independent

And whenever the drops would fall, Sasha and I would dash off in search of shelter.

The New York Times - Travel

I longed for Pamela and Clarissa to spring up and dash off protesting letters.

Independent

Reprehensibly, Kristine and I show no mercy as we dash off to join the queue.

Independent

The girls shriek with delight and dash off to go shopping.

The New York Times

Who were these people, I wondered, who could dash off rhyming alexandrines without a second thought?

The New Yorker

Once we start, everything passes in a mad blur as we dash off through the woods.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That guaranteed that every aficionado in attendance would dash off to take a peek.

The New York Times

We could barely put down our cucumber sandwiches long enough to dash off a few riffs".

The Guardian - Music

The females seemed to dash off right at the moment of their peak fertility.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dash off" to describe actions done quickly and without much preparation. It is suitable for both physical actions, like leaving a place, and mental actions, like writing a note.

Common error

Avoid using "dash off" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more professional alternatives like "quickly write" or "depart promptly" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dash off" is as a phrasal verb, acting as a predicate in a sentence. It describes an action performed quickly or hastily. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts, from quickly writing a note to abruptly leaving a place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dash off" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe doing something quickly, whether it's leaving a place or writing something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media. While handy for informal contexts, remember to opt for more formal alternatives in professional settings. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe leaving for meetings or quickly writing notes, reflecting its broad applicability in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rush off

Similar to "dash off" but puts more emphasis on a feeling of being hurried.

take off

Informal way of saying someone left quickly.

hurry away

Emphasizes the speed and abruptness of leaving a place.

bolt away

Conveys a sense of urgency and rapid movement.

leave abruptly

Highlights the suddenness of departure.

hasten away

Similar to 'hurry away', but may imply a slightly more formal context.

zip away

Emphasizes the speed and ease of movement, often in a modern or technological context.

write quickly

Focuses specifically on the speed of writing something.

jot down

Implies a brief and concise note-taking.

scribble down

Highlights the informal and possibly messy nature of the writing.

FAQs

How to use "dash off" in a sentence?

You can use "dash off" to indicate leaving quickly, like "I have to dash off to a meeting", or to describe writing something quickly, such as "She dashed off a thank-you note".

What can I say instead of "dash off"?

You can use alternatives like "rush off" to indicate a quick departure or "scribble down" to indicate writing something quickly and informally.

Is it appropriate to use "dash off" in formal writing?

No, "dash off" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more professional phrases like "quickly depart" or "hastily write".

What's the difference between "dash off" and "hurry away"?

"Dash off" can refer to both physical movement (leaving quickly) and writing, while "hurry away" specifically refers to leaving a place quickly. "Dash off" also implies slightly less urgency than "hurry away".