dip down

USAGE SUMMARY

"dip down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something has decreased or gone down in comparison to something else, usually in terms of value or amount. For example, "The temperature dipped down below freezing as the night set in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Want to dip down even further?

Independent

She wears a black dress whose wide neck starts to dip down over one shoulder.

The New York Times - Arts

So we'd ask him to please dip down to get some meat and potatoes from the bottom of the kettle.

The New Yorker

Others consist of horizontal bands that dip down toward the center so that the painted surfaces seem to bulge outward.

The New York Times - Arts

Hollande also saw his approval ratings continue to dip down to 20% as the year wore on.

Independent

"It could put its head above the surface or dip down and look at what was happening below," he said.

Independent

As imagined in one plan, the street might dip down to create a broad plaza leading to the riverfront.

The New York Times

Also, the unseasonably cold temperatures are supposed to dip down as far as Kentucky this winter, the almanac says.

The Guardian

"We want to see a real recovery, just in case you have another dip down," he said in a conference call with investors.

The New York Times

Get your bearings Málaga is located on a bay at the point where the Mediterranean coast begins to dip down towards the Straits of Gibraltar.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Thus, the high-frequency seismic waves radiated from shallow (deep) depths up-dip (down-dip) of the hypocenter, and the shallow part had higher radiation efficiency.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dip down" to describe a temporary or partial lowering, either physically or figuratively, as in "The sun dipped down below the horizon" or "The stock price dipped down slightly before recovering".

Common error

Avoid using "dip down" when describing a large or permanent decrease. Alternatives like "plummet", "collapse", or "decline sharply" are more appropriate for conveying significant drops.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dip down" is that of a phrasal verb. It's used to describe a downward movement or a decrease, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

22%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dip down" functions as a phrasal verb denoting a descent or decline, typically of a temporary or slight nature. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in a wide range of writing contexts. Its neutral register allows for usage across varied domains, though it is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki sources. When precision is paramount, consider related phrases like "decline" or "descend" for nuanced meanings. Remember to avoid using it for large or permanent decreases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go down

A more general and less descriptive way of saying something is decreasing or descending.

descend

Refers to a general downward movement, lacking the specific context of "dipping" which implies a quick or temporary lowering.

drop

Implies a sudden or abrupt decrease, whereas "dip down" can be more gradual or controlled.

decline

Focuses on a decrease in amount, value, or quality, which is a more abstract sense than the physical movement implied by "dip down".

sink

Indicates a more complete or permanent downward movement, unlike the temporary or partial lowering of "dip down".

lower

A general term for reducing something's height or level, less specific than the nuanced action of "dipping".

fall

A general term for moving downward, lacking the specific sense of a quick or partial descent.

plummet

Suggests a rapid and significant fall, stronger than the milder "dip down".

subside

Indicates a settling or sinking to a lower level, often after a period of activity or intensity.

slump

Implies a sudden and significant decline, often in an economic or performance context.

FAQs

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

You can use "dip down" to describe a temporary or partial decrease. For example, "The road "dips down" before rising again" or "Her voice "dipped down" as she whispered a secret."

What's the difference between "dip down" and "drop down"?

"Dip down" often implies a quick and temporary decrease or lowering, while "drop down" can suggest a more sudden or significant fall. However, in some contexts, they can be used interchangeably.

Which is a better phrase, "dip down" or "fall down"?

The better phrase depends on the context. "Fall down" typically refers to a complete loss of balance and descent to the ground. "Dip down" suggests a brief descent or a temporary decline.

What are some alternative phrases for "dip down"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "go down", "decline", or "descend" instead of "dip down".