dip away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dip away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of gradually moving away or decreasing in intensity, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "As the sun began to set, the light started to dip away, casting long shadows across the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sand dunes dip away into a Louisiana sky dark with summer thunderstorms.

The Economist

The faults forming horsts generally dip away from each other: those forming grabens generally dip toward each other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After the catch, Allen can juke, spin and dip away from defenders in the open field, and he has enough strength and balance as a runner to bounce off hits if not sufficiently wrapped.

The New York Times

Get yourself some sturdy chips and dip away.

Huffington Post

Most children love to dip items (i.e French fries in ketchup) so provide them dipping choices such as a salad dressing they might like and let them dip away.

WikiHow

If you'd rather dip away from the stove, turn off the heat, remove the top part of the double boiler, and set it on the counter before you start dipping.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He half turns and dips away from Perowne, then bobs back.

The New Yorker

Sykora ripped a shot that dipped away from goalie Tom Barrasso and went over Barrasso's stick.

The New York Times - Sports

In every direction the subtle curve of the earth dipped away toward an indistinct horizon".

The New York Times - Books

Behind the quarry the ground dipped away to a body of water at the woodland boundary, half lake, half pond, fringed by a half crescent of bulrushes.

The Guardian

What responses he does give display a marked tendency to tail off apparently midway through: "When the volume dips away," he advises, "the answer's finished".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dip away" to describe a physical feature, ensure the context clearly indicates the direction and extent of the decline. For example, "The path dipped away towards the river."

Common error

Avoid using "dip away" when a sharp or abrupt decline is intended. Use alternatives like "drop" or "plummet" instead for such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "dip away" functions primarily to describe a gradual decrease, decline, or receding movement. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing landscapes, performance metrics, and even the intensity of light or sound. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English form.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dip away" is a phrasal verb used to describe a gradual decline or receding movement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral formality level. When considering alternative phrases, "fade away" and "recede" offer similar meanings, emphasizing gradual disappearance or movement backward, respectively. When using "dip away", ensure the context aligns with a gradual transition rather than an abrupt change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fade away

Emphasizes a gradual disappearance or decline in intensity.

recede

Suggests a movement backward or away from a particular point.

slope down

Focuses on a downward inclination or gradient.

sink away

Implies a descent or sinking motion, often slowly.

drop off

Highlights a decrease or decline, often sharply.

fall away

Indicates a separation or decline from a previous level or standard.

veer off

Suggests a change in direction, moving away from a set course.

swerve away

Implies a sudden change in direction to avoid something.

peel off

Describes a detachment or separation from a group or surface.

deflect

Indicates a turning aside or deviation from a straight course.

FAQs

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

Use "dip away" to describe a gradual decline or movement. For instance, "The sun's warmth began to dip away as evening approached" or "The land dipped away towards the valley floor".

What's the difference between "dip" and "dip away"?

"Dip" generally refers to a quick immersion or a downward movement, while "dip away" suggests a more gradual or extended decrease or receding motion.

When should I use "fade away" instead of "dip away"?

Use "fade away" when describing a gradual disappearance or loss of intensity, particularly for intangible things like memories or sounds. "Dip away" is better suited for describing physical declines or movements.

Can "dip away" be used in a business context?

Yes, but sparingly. It can describe a gradual decline in profits or market share, but more formal terms like "decrease" or "decline" are often preferred. For example: "The company's profits started to "decline" after the new regulations were implemented".