dislodge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dislodge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of removing or forcing something out of its position or place. Example: "The strong winds were able to dislodge the branches from the tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the 2006 series of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, one of the show's researchers picked someone they knew to win the opportunity to ride a giant model pig and dislodge cash in a competition called Jiggy Bank.

The Guardian

It seems sinister that there was an attempt to dislodge the lawful process in these cases and substitute blanket imprisonment.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rock paintings, more of which are being discovered yearly, are under threat from constant wildfires, from feral animals that rub against the cave walls and from wasps whose nests dislodge the ephemeral ochre paints.

The Guardian

He has tried and failed to dislodge Mugabe three times, although supporters argue that, on a level playing field, he would have won every time.

The Guardian

Conversely if the UUP leader fails to dislodge McCrea the UUP-Tory project will be judged to have been a failure and Empey's position as party chief would be untenable.

The Guardian

The price of new permits has shot up past $5,000 per car and is still rising.In short, public transport is vitally important, but it will never dislodge the car.

The Economist

The dollar's relentless rise may dislodge a brick or two, but China is not about to let the yuan collapse.

The Economist

He and his team have designed a dredge that can dislodge scallops without touching the seafloor.The dredge has several hemispheric scoops in place of the toothed bar.

The Economist

The Winspears gave $42m to the opera house.In this section A joyless recovery A public row Love of Labour Not right enough Hard to dislodge J Street puts a foot in the door Desert excellence Exit Bratton Lights down, curtain up One year of The One Reprints Related items Lone Star risingJul 9th 2009The city hopes that the arts will spur economic development.

The Economist

For similar reasons, say conspiracy theorists, the Americans are refusing to dislodge separatist Kurdish PKK rebels from their mountain bases in northern Iraq.

The Economist

"I often felt this attitude in Chechnya: 'Go back to your Russia' and in Russia, when I visited my mother, 'Get back to your Chechnya'".Her attitude to independence, like that of most Chechens, changed in 1994 when the Kremlin decided to dislodge Mr Dudayev with tanks and bombs.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dislodge", consider the level of force implied. It suggests a more forceful removal than simply "remove" or "displace".

Common error

Avoid using "dislodge" in overly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "remove" or "extract" might be more appropriate. The term "dislodge" can occasionally sound too forceful depending on the tone you're aiming for.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dislodge" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It describes the action of forcibly removing something from a settled position, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dislodge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used transitive verb that describes the action of forcibly removing something from a settled position. As Ludwig points out, it is generally considered suitable for neutral registers, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is essential to be mindful of the level of force it implies, opting for alternatives like "remove" or "displace" in more formal or delicate contexts. This analysis, supported by numerous real-world examples, aims to provide a clear understanding of "dislodge" and its effective use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove

A general term for taking something away, lacking the connotation of force implied by "dislodge".

force out

Emphasizes the use of coercion to make someone leave.

eject

Implies a sudden or forceful expulsion from a confined space.

expel

Implies a formal or official act of forcing someone out.

oust

Specifically refers to removing someone from a position of power or authority.

uproot

Suggests removing something completely, as if from its roots.

displace

Indicates moving something from its usual place, often without force.

displace from

Similar to displace but stresses from where the entity is being removed.

extract

Suggests carefully taking something out, often from a larger mass.

unseat

Typically used in the context of removing someone from a seated position or a position of authority.

FAQs

How to use "dislodge" in a sentence?

"Dislodge" is used to describe the act of removing or forcing something out of its position. For example, "The storm threatened to "dislodge the roof"" or "The army tried to "dislodge the enemy" from their stronghold."

What can I say instead of "dislodge"?

You can use alternatives like "remove", "eject", or "displace" depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different connotation of force and method.

Which is correct, "dislodge" or "unlodge"?

"Dislodge" is the correct term. "Unlodge" is not a standard English word. "Dislodge" implies removing something from a fixed or settled position.

What's the difference between "dislodge" and "extract"?

"Dislodge" suggests a forceful removal, while "extract" implies a more careful or precise removal, often from within something else. For example, you might "extract a tooth" but "dislodge a stone from a wall".