dip behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dip behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something moving out of sight or becoming obscured, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "As the sun began to set, it dipped behind the mountains, casting a warm glow across the valley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

— with the sun yet to dip behind the Olympic Mountains, the giant center-field stage darkened for the show.

The New York Times

But they put that dip behind them in emphatic fashion to reassert their authority at the top of the table.

The Guardian - Sport

The little dip behind Lady Mary's clavicles is accentuated by candlelight; this is not an accident, mark my words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By 7pm the sun begins to dip behind the horizon and the day's formalities come to a close.

The Guardian

A dip behind the Bush home turned into a small lake after a good rain, and thousands of frogs would come out.

The New York Times

The next significant observation came from Coutts, who had been happy to dip behind the Italians, take the right side of the course, and accept a small loss for the risk of a far greater gain.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Shortly before midnight, the sun dipped behind the hills, but its light lingered all night.

The New York Times - Travel

Back outside, the sun dipped behind rooftops, about to hand the sky over to night.

The New Yorker

The sun is dipping behind the trees on the hill behind the house.

The Guardian - Music

A blinking red dot dipped behind a mountain in the distance.

The New York Times - Travel

CNN has even dipped behind its sister network HLN (formerly Headline News) on many occasions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "Dip behind" works best when describing a gentle, gradual obscuring, rather than a sudden or abrupt disappearance.

Common error

Avoid using "dip behind" in highly formal or technical writing, as it may sound too descriptive. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "recede" or "obscure" for professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "dip behind" is to act as a phrasal verb, describing the movement of an object out of sight, often in a scenic or visually descriptive manner. Ludwig examples show its usage to describe the sun or other objects receding from view.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dip behind" is a phrasal verb used to describe something gradually moving out of sight, often with a visual or scenic connotation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and most frequently used in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it may be less suitable for technical writing. Consider alternatives like "descend behind" or "vanish behind" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descend behind

Emphasizes a downward movement in addition to the obscuring action.

sink below

Suggests a gradual disappearance, often used for celestial bodies.

drop below

Focuses on the action of something lowering itself.

vanish behind

Highlights the complete disappearance from view.

recede beyond

Indicates a movement further away and out of sight.

fall behind

Focuses on trailing or lagging in a race or competition and becoming unseen.

hide behind

Highlights the act of concealing or shielding from view.

obscure behind

More directly describes the act of being hidden by something.

pass beyond

Emphasizes movement to a location beyond the visible range.

move out of sight behind

Explicitly states the act of disappearing from view behind an object.

FAQs

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

You can use "dip behind" to describe something gradually disappearing from view, like "As the sun began to set, it dipped behind the clouds."

What are some alternatives to "dip behind"?

Alternatives include "descend behind", "sink below", or "vanish behind", each with slightly different nuances.

When is it appropriate to use "dip behind"?

"Dip behind" is appropriate when you want to evoke a sense of gradual disappearance or gentle movement out of sight, often in descriptive writing.

Is "dip behind" formal or informal?

"Dip behind" leans towards the less formal side and is more appropriate in descriptive or creative writing than in formal or technical contexts. Choose more neutral alternatives in professional documents.