dashed hopes

USAGE SUMMARY

"dashed hopes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone's expectations or desires have been suddenly and abruptly frustrated. For example, "The news of the election results dashed Sally's hopes of becoming mayor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Many of those dashed hopes I shared.

The Economist

That has dashed hopes that robust growth might ease unemployment.

The Economist

New York: the city of missing teeth and dashed hopes.

The New York Times

Unlike little Spacer, he never confronted his dashed hopes manfully.

The New Yorker

Unseasonably mild weather dashed hopes of a White Christmas yesterday.

Independent

Syngman Rhee has dashed hopes for the immediate end of the shooting war in Korea.

The New Yorker

Weighed on top of Russia's stars of the ice were the dashed hopes of a nation.

Independent

The Moscow talks yielded no deal and dashed hopes that Russia might ride to the rescue.

The New York Times

It simply betrays, as misanthropy often does, the scoffer's dashed hopes and thwarted expectations.

Independent

But most of the time it results in wasted effort and dashed hopes.

The Economist

The announcement Thursday dashed hopes that recently announced deals with Chinese partners would turn Saab around.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dashed hopes" to effectively convey a sense of disappointment when plans or expectations are abruptly ruined.

Common error

Avoid using "dashed hopes" in situations that are only mildly disappointing. The phrase carries a strong emotional weight, so reserve it for scenarios where the disappointment is significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dashed hopes" is that of a noun phrase. It acts as the object of a verb or as a subject complement, describing a state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and applicability in various written contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dashed hopes" is a common and grammatically sound way to express disappointment and the sudden ruin of expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its frequent occurrence in news and media contexts. While it can be used in various settings, it is most effective when describing significant disappointments. Alternatives such as "crushed aspirations" or "thwarted expectations" offer similar meanings, allowing writers to choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and desired emotional tone. Be mindful of using it only when truly needed to avoid diminishing its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crushed aspirations

Emphasizes the destruction of ambitions.

thwarted expectations

Highlights the prevention of expected outcomes.

unfulfilled dreams

Focuses on dreams that have not come true.

blasted ambitions

Indicates ambitions that have been ruined or destroyed.

frustrated desires

Emphasizes the feeling of frustration due to unmet desires.

disappointed expectations

Highlights the disappointment that results from unmet expectations.

failed prospects

Focuses on the failure of potential opportunities.

shattered illusions

Indicates the destruction of comforting but false beliefs.

abortive attempts

Focuses on efforts that are cut short and unsuccessful.

derailed plans

Highlights how plans have been diverted from their intended course.

FAQs

How can I use "dashed hopes" in a sentence?

You can use "dashed hopes" to describe situations where expectations or plans are ruined, for example: "The cancellation of the event "dashed hopes" of a successful fundraising campaign".

What are some alternatives to "dashed hopes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "crushed aspirations", "thwarted expectations", or "unfulfilled dreams", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "dashed hopes" formal or informal?

"Dashed hopes" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in news articles and literature, making it suitable for neutral to slightly formal writing.

What is the difference between "dashed hopes" and "failed expectations"?

"Dashed hopes" implies a sudden and abrupt end to one's hopes, whereas "failed expectations" suggests that expectations were not met over time or through a gradual process.