dirty route

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dirty route" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a path or method that is unethical, illegal, or morally questionable. Example: "The detective discovered that the suspect had taken a dirty route to achieve his goals, involving bribery and deceit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But if you're looking to save a little cash while also getting your breakfast pastry fix, we'd recommend the quick and dirty route: throw a Pop-Tart in the toaster and scarf it down in traffic on your morning commute.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"So we deliberately decided to use the dirtier route and not have him die, because now they are umbilically linked together as long as they have those children together, so I think they have another 20 to 30 years of the story".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We Spent 24 Hours with a Pornstar Couple.

Vice

Tracklist Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama gave the music an overall rating of 4 out of five saying, "Music of The Dirty Picture takes the expected route and delivers what it promised" and chose Ooh La La and Ishq Sufiyana as picks from the album.

Wikipedia

They include the forced closure of thousands of dirty factories that line the canal's route, many of which are owned by local governments that have evaded controls in the past.

The New York Times

The city and county governments fought the railroad to remove the dirty and noisy steam locomotives from this route, succeeding in 1912.

Wikipedia

Additionally, and unsurprisingly, since Petrobras is 51percentt government-owned, much of the dirty money was sent on a circuitous route to the pockets of various political figures.

Huffington Post

"Certain areas, the sweeper will come out and do some corner caps that are dirty, time permitting that he has on the route.

The New York Times

Maybe you are throwing money away by getting bulky waste to do your dirty work rather than going the more disciplined route of a yard sale.

The New York Times

Reflecting the conditions of the past few weeks, the snow on the routes tracked by machinery is now a dirty brown.

The New York Times - Sports

West Coast had too many routes to goal to let Darling's dirty day cost them, with Jamie Cripps kicking three goals and Elliot Yeo, Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras bagging two.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dirty route", ensure the context clearly indicates the unethical or questionable nature of the path being described. Provide specific examples or details to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "dirty route" as a general negative descriptor. Without sufficient context, it can sound vague or hyperbolic. Instead, provide specific details about the actions or methods that make the route undesirable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dirty route" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dirty" modifies the noun "route". It is used to describe a method or course of action that is considered unethical, dishonest, or illegal. Ludwig AI confirms this interpretation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dirty route" is a phrase used to describe an unethical, dishonest, or illegal method for achieving a goal. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and while understandable, it should be used carefully and with sufficient context to avoid vagueness or hyperbole. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and is considered to be of a neutral to informal register. When in doubt, alternatives like "unethical approach" or "corrupt method" may provide a more precise or formal way to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unethical approach

Focuses on the moral aspect of the route taken.

corrupt method

Highlights the presence of corruption in the chosen path.

dishonest path

Emphasizes the lack of honesty in the chosen route.

underhanded tactic

Implies secrecy and unfairness in the approach.

unsavory course of action

Suggests the route is unpleasant or distasteful.

shady procedure

Highlights the questionable nature of the process.

illicit way

Directly indicates the route is illegal or forbidden.

unscrupulous avenue

Emphasizes the lack of moral principles in the approach.

devious strategy

Focuses on the cunning and deceitful aspect of the plan.

crooked path

Suggests dishonesty and a departure from what is right.

FAQs

How can I use "dirty route" in a sentence?

You can use "dirty route" to describe an unethical or illegal method used to achieve a goal. For example: "The investigation revealed that the company took a "dirty route" to secure the contract, involving bribery and corruption."

What are some alternatives to "dirty route"?

Alternatives to "dirty route" include "unethical approach", "corrupt method", or "dishonest path", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dirty route" a formal or informal expression?

"Dirty route" leans toward a slightly informal register. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "unethical approach" or "illicit way" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "dirty route" and "shortcut"?

While a "shortcut" implies a faster way to achieve something, a "dirty route" suggests an unethical or illegal method. A shortcut might be acceptable, while a "dirty route" always carries a negative connotation.