dip into

USAGE SUMMARY

"dip into" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and it is quite common.
It most often means to take a short look at or to use a small portion of something (often money). For example: I could dip into my savings account to buy the new phone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wonderful to dip into.

The Guardian - Books

They dip into bird feeders.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, dip into "Ab Fab".

The New York Times

Dip into shoyu or tamari.

The New York Times - Food

And could we dip into another recession?

The New York Times

I dip into each in turn.

Independent

You dip into the Phaedrus often?

The Guardian - Opinion

Dip into the sauce then eat them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We'd dip into psychedelia or jazz.

The Guardian - Music

A few scenes dip into the Oprahesque.

The New York Times - Arts

I dip into Twitter when I have time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dip into" to describe a brief or partial engagement with something, such as "dip into a book" for a short reading session or "dip into savings" for a partial withdrawal.

Common error

Avoid using "dip into" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Instead of saying "the research dips into various theories", consider "the research explores various theories" for enhanced clarity and formality.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dip into" is that of a phrasal verb. It functions as a verb expressing an action, either of briefly engaging with something (like reading) or using a portion of a resource (like savings). Ludwig AI confirms the usage and provides numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "dip into" is a versatile and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It primarily conveys the idea of briefly engaging with something or using a portion of a resource. It’s grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, media, and informal contexts. When writing, it's best to use "dip into" to describe actions like briefly reading a book or partially using savings. While appropriate for many situations, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing where more precise language might be more suitable. Overall, Ludwig provides ample evidence that "dip into" is a useful phrase to have in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delve into

Implies a more thorough and investigative approach compared to a brief "dip into".

sample

Focuses on experiencing or testing a small portion of something, like food or information.

tap into

Refers to accessing or utilizing a resource or source of energy.

skim through

Suggests a superficial reading or examination, quicker than "dip into".

draw upon

Implies utilizing resources or knowledge that one already possesses.

peruse

Implies reading something carefully, but not necessarily in its entirety.

browse

Suggests casually looking at something without a specific purpose.

encroach on

Suggests gradually using more of something, often implying a negative impact or depletion.

make use of

General term for utilizing something, without specifying the extent or duration.

resort to

Implies using something as a last option or when facing difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "dip into" to mean briefly engage with something, as in "I like to dip into a good book before bed", or to use a small amount of a resource, such as "We may need to dip into our savings to cover the repairs".

What does "dip into" mean when referring to savings?

When referring to savings, "dip into" means to use a portion of your savings, typically for an unexpected expense or a planned purchase. It implies that you're not using all your savings, just a part of them.

What are some alternatives to "dip into"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "delve into" (for deeper exploration), "sample" (for trying a small portion), or "tap into" (for utilizing a resource).

Is it correct to use "dip into" when talking about temperature?

Yes, it's correct. The phrase is used to describe a temperature decrease, as in "The temperature can dip into the 20s during winter".