dipped a little

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dipped a little" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight decrease or reduction in something, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The stock prices dipped a little after the announcement of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

He is very young and while his form last season was excellent he has dipped a little this year.

Independent

Shares of Energy Transfer rose slightly on Tuesday, to $44.99, while shares of Williams dipped a little, to $30.68.

The New York Times

And the percentage of people who don't have health coverage dipped a little bit, to 15.4percentnt.

The New Yorker

His success in France is steady and, while his following has dipped a little in America, it has picked up in Japan.

The Guardian - Film

Hamilton's chances dipped a little when he said after practice that he had felt particularly ill at ease in the car.

The Guardian - Sport

The total dipped a little in 2011 after the arrival of a tough new police chief, Julian Leyzaola, whose military tactics have made some headway, but his critics assert that he ignores human rights and uses torture to extract confessions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He did dip a little snuff.

The New Yorker

Prices could dip a little further, but none of the market watchers expect a retreat to the $20s.

The Guardian - Business

It was a tactical masterstroke and you could almost sense the heads of Froome's rivals dip a little.

The Guardian - Sport

Even now, after all those bailouts, banks never seem to tire of dipping a little deeper into your wallet.

The New York Times

Equity and bond markets did dip a little after Mr Greenspan's recent comment; but Wall Street seems to share the Bush administration's sanguine view.Can this continue?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes in data or performance, use "dipped a little" to indicate a minor decline without causing alarm. For example, "Our website traffic dipped a little during the holiday season, but we anticipate a quick recovery."

Common error

Avoid using "dipped a little" excessively in formal or academic writing. While perfectly acceptable, it can sound less precise than alternatives like "slightly decreased" or "marginally declined". Choose the phrasing that best suits the context and tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dipped a little" functions as a descriptor, indicating a slight decrease or reduction in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, effectively softening the impact of negative changes in reports or discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dipped a little" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a slight decrease or reduction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is suitable for general reporting and informal discussions, more formal alternatives like "slightly decreased" or "marginally declined" might be preferable in academic or business settings. When writing, remember that "dipped a little" serves to soften the impact of negative changes, making it a valuable tool for balanced and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly decreased

Replaces "dipped" with the more formal "decreased", maintaining the sense of a small reduction.

marginally declined

Substitutes "dipped" with "declined" and adds "marginally" to emphasize the small degree of change.

fell slightly

Uses "fell" instead of "dipped", which is another common way to express a decrease.

reduced a bit

Replaces "dipped" with "reduced" and "little" with "bit", resulting in a more informal tone.

experienced a slight drop

Rephrases the entire expression using "experienced a drop", which is a more formal alternative.

showed a small decrease

Uses "showed a decrease" to convey the reduction, making it slightly more descriptive.

slipped a little

Employs "slipped" as a more casual synonym for "dipped", suggesting a gentle decline.

eased slightly

Replaces "dipped" with "eased", implying a gradual and gentle decrease.

receded somewhat

Uses "receded" to indicate a decrease, with "somewhat" emphasizing the moderate extent.

softened slightly

Substitutes "dipped" with "softened", implying a gentle reduction in intensity or value.

FAQs

What does "dipped a little" mean?

"Dipped a little" means there was a slight decrease or reduction in something. It's often used to describe a minor drop in numbers, performance, or any measurable quantity.

What can I say instead of "dipped a little"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly decreased", "marginally declined", or "fell slightly", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it correct to say "dipped a little bit"?

Yes, saying "dipped a little bit" is grammatically correct and adds emphasis to the small degree of the decrease. It's slightly more informal than "dipped a little".

Which situations are appropriate for using "dipped a little"?

"Dipped a little" is appropriate for describing minor decreases in various contexts, such as sales figures, performance metrics, or even personal feelings. It's versatile but consider the tone of your writing to ensure it fits.