dish out

USAGE SUMMARY

"dish out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an informal phrase which means to provide or distribute something. For example, "The teacher dished out candy to the students for answering all the questions correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whether they believe what they dish out is secondary.

The New York Times - Books

Set dish out on a rack to cool.

MIT Technology Review

All Connor wants to feel or dish out is rejection.

The New Yorker

He doesn't really dish out any new dirt.

The New York Times

First dish out was a small crayfish, raw.

The New York Times - Food

They usually contract private companies to dish out "penalty-charge notices".

The Economist

It's already booked months in advance with critics falling over themselves to dish out the plaudits.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A good one will be more than happy to dish out some cooking tips.

Independent

He has persuaded Mr Bondevik to dish out extra money, for instance, to pensioners.

The Economist

Nobody wants a Labour Government that would dish out what a Tory Government would have anyway.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Plan out how you intend to dish-out the criticism before you actually do it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dish out" when you want to convey the idea of distributing something readily or generously, sometimes even excessively. For example, "The company dished out bonuses at the end of the year."

Common error

While "dish out" is versatile, it is generally considered informal. In formal writing, opt for more neutral terms like "distribute" or "allocate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "dish out" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples show it's used to describe the act of giving or distributing something, whether it's food, advice, criticism, or resources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "dish out" is a common and grammatically correct expression used primarily to describe the act of distributing or providing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often appears in informal contexts, like news articles and blogs. Although it may be suitable for general writing, be mindful of its informality and consider more formal alternatives, such as "distribute" or "allocate", when writing in a professional or academic context. The phrase is readily understood and used across various domains, but maintaining awareness of register helps ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand out

Focuses on the act of physically giving something to multiple people.

give out

Emphasizes the act of distributing items or information.

distribute

Implies a more formal or organized method of giving something.

dispense

Suggests giving out portions of something, often in a controlled manner.

allocate

Highlights the act of assigning or setting aside something for a specific purpose.

mete out

Implies giving something in a measured or proportional way, often referring to punishment or rewards.

serve up

Similar to "dish out" but implies a sense of presentation or readiness.

deal out

Suggests distributing something, especially cards or blows.

administer

Implies a formal or official distribution of something, like justice or medicine.

bestow

Implies conferring a gift or honor.

FAQs

How can I use "dish out" in a sentence?

You can use "dish out" to describe distributing something, such as "The charity dished out food to the homeless" or "He can "dish out" criticism but can't take it".

What's the difference between "dish out" and "distribute"?

"Dish out" is more informal and suggests a casual or generous distribution. "Distribute" is more formal and implies a systematic or organized allocation. You can "distribute" resources but "dish out" advice.

What are some synonyms for "dish out"?

Alternatives for "dish out" include "hand out", "give out", "serve up", or "dispense", depending on the context.

Is "dish out" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "dish out" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using more neutral terms like "allocate" or "administer" to maintain a professional tone.