dastardly move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dastardly move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that is considered cowardly, treacherous, or dishonorable. Example: "The politician's decision to spread false rumors about his opponent was a dastardly move that shocked the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The killer they are chasing leaves two halves of two women (an English prostitute and a French politician) in the service tunnel under the channel and uses live-streaming video to update both police forces on his next dastardly move as he dishes out lessons on veracity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

So there's a distinctly British feel to it, despite the fact the animals all have American accents and the dastardly humans are English – a move that's sure to set whiskers twitching in the home counties.

The Guardian - Film

The move was especially dastardly considering Facebook's viral channels have led to huge referral traffic boosts for Yahoo's news properties over the last few months.

TechCrunch

Essentially, Gill says, the patent system at its best is meant to protect upstart inventors — so in light of that larger aim, people shouldn't shed too many tears for Facebook's current position, regardless of how "dastardly opportunistic" Yahoo's recent moves may be.

TechCrunch

Compelling him to move in real close and yell in the dastardly scoundrel's face: "ARE YOU GOING TO TALK NOW?" "Okay.

Huffington Post

For example, you might want them to move toward the outer part of the crowd where the dastardly dance moves aren't so noticeable, and you could make suggestive eye movements and head nods, as well as gently pulling your partner to the outer edge.

WikiHow

In 1863, in one railway drama, our hero, here the young George Stephenson, leapt onto the footplate of a moving train, dashingly rescued the heroine and then crushed her dastardly seducer to death.

The Guardian

Dastardly baddies.

The New York Times - Arts

"Dastardly, as Peter Alliss calls it".

Independent

"This dastardly crime needs retribution".

The New York Times

A dastardly plot is unfolding.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dastardly move", ensure the context clearly establishes the act as being deliberately malicious or underhanded. This phrase carries a strong connotation of moral reprehensibility.

Common error

Avoid using "dastardly move" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral or precise term might be more appropriate. Overuse can diminish the impact and appear melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dastardly move" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular action or decision. It typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, characterizing the nature of the move as being particularly wicked or underhanded. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dastardly move" is a phrase used to describe a particularly wicked or underhanded action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, its slightly dramatic tone makes it less suitable for highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "despicable act" or "cowardly action" for a more neutral or precise expression. The limited number of examples suggests that while the phrase is valid, it is not exceedingly common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despicable act

Replaces 'move' with a more general term 'act', emphasizing the reprehensible nature of the action.

cowardly action

Focuses on the aspect of cowardice inherent in the 'dastardly move'.

treacherous scheme

Highlights the deceitful and betraying nature of the 'move'.

deceitful maneuver

Emphasizes the manipulative aspect of the action.

dishonorable tactic

Underscores the lack of honor or integrity in the approach.

underhanded trick

Implies a sly and secretive method.

sneaky ploy

Suggests a cunning and often deceptive strategy.

villainous deed

Emphasizes the evil or malicious nature of the action.

nefarious plan

Highlights the wickedness and immorality of the scheme.

Machiavellian tactic

Implies a cunning, scheming, and often ruthless approach, characteristic of Machiavellian principles.

FAQs

How can I use "dastardly move" in a sentence?

"Dastardly move" is used to describe actions that are considered cowardly, treacherous, or dishonorable. For example: "The politician's decision to spread false rumors about his opponent was a "dastardly move" that shocked the community."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "dastardly move"?

If you want a less dramatic alternative, consider using phrases like "despicable act", "cowardly action", or "dishonorable tactic".

Is "dastardly move" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "dastardly move" carries a strong negative connotation and may be perceived as overly dramatic in formal or academic writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "unethical strategy" or "deceptive tactic" instead.

What does "dastardly" really mean?

The word "dastardly" means wicked, cruel, or underhanded. Using it emphasizes the malicious intent behind an action, making "dastardly move" a strong condemnation of someone's behavior. It is not equivalent to just "bad" or "unpleasant".