dip the head

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dip the head" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is lowering their head, often as a sign of respect, submission, or acknowledgment. Example: "As the ceremony began, the attendees were asked to dip their heads in honor of the fallen soldiers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

To flick paint, dip the head of an old toothbrush into some bright paint and flick the bristles to spray paint across your paper.

WikiHow

If you were unable to remove the core, dip the head of cabbage into the boiling water and let it cook for a few minutes, just until it begins to soften.

WikiHow

Dip the head end of the match into the wax far enough to cover at least an eighth of an inch (3 millimeters) of the stick below the head.

WikiHow

Dip the head end of the match into clear nail polish far enough to cover at least an eighth of an inch (3 millimeters) of the stick below the head.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Most of the outrage, she said, focused on his saying Ms. Huffington should be cast in his next "Terminator" movie, which Ms. Huffington interpreted as a reference to a scene in "Terminator 3" in which Mr. Schwarzenegger's character dips the head of a female robot in a toilet.

The New York Times

Prior to their hunting trips, the Clackamas dipped the heads of their arrows and lances into the water that had gathered in the large cavities of the iron.

The New York Times

1 Whisk together the water, salt and flour to make a light batter that coats the elderflowers, but drips off. 2 Heat the oil until very hot. 3 Using the stem as a handle, dip the flower heads in batter, and let the excess batter drip back into the bowl.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Know how to dip hypo?" the head of the lab asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

Japan continued to create all the openings but with little reward and they were punished eight minutes from time by Oar's somewhat fortuitous goal, with the midfielder's angled cross-shot dipping over the head of Kawashima and dropping into the net at the far post.

Independent

"Come along" she says with an impatient dip of the head.

The Guardian

You could feel it in the curt little dip of the head after each boundary shot, the resolute leaves of the morning session.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dip the head" when describing a quick, slight bow or nod, often indicating respect, agreement, or a brief acknowledgment. For example, "He "dipped the head" in greeting as he passed by."

Common error

Avoid using "dip the head" when a full bow or a more pronounced lowering of the head is intended. In such cases, phrases like "bow your head" or "lower your head" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dip the head" primarily functions as a verbal phrase describing an action. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it depicts a brief, downward movement of the head. It can also denote directing or inclining head towards something as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dip the head" is a grammatically correct phrase that is used to describe a brief lowering of one's head, often as a sign of respect, acknowledgment, or greeting. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications. When a more formal or pronounced gesture is intended, alternatives like "bow your head" or "lower your head" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bow your head

This alternative signifies a more formal and respectful lowering of the head.

lower one's head

This is a more general term for moving the head downwards.

nod your head

Implies a brief, often affirmative, downward movement of the head.

incline the head

Suggests a slight and often polite bending of the head.

bend your head

A simple, direct way to describe the act of bending the head.

duck your head

Implies a quick lowering of the head, often to avoid something.

bob your head

A rhythmic, repetitive up and down movement of the head.

stoop your head

Suggests bending the head and upper body forward.

dip the flower heads

Specifically refers to dipping flower heads, altering the subject but retaining the action.

submerge your head

Suggests immersing the head completely in a liquid.

FAQs

What does "dip the head" mean?

The phrase "dip the head" generally refers to a quick, slight lowering of one's head, often as a gesture of acknowledgment, respect, or greeting.

How can I use "dip the head" in a sentence?

You can use "dip the head" to describe someone briefly lowering their head. For example, "She "dipped the head" in acknowledgement of his presence".

What can I say instead of "dip the head"?

You can use alternatives like "bow your head", "nod your head", or "lower one's head" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "dip the head"?

Yes, "dip the head" is a correct and understandable phrase in English, used to describe the action of briefly lowering one's head. However, ensure the context is appropriate; otherwise, consider alternatives like "bow your head" if the situation calls for a more formal gesture.