dried up

USAGE SUMMARY

"dried up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has become inactive, like a river or lake that no longer contains any water. For example, "After the long summer, the river had dried up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Business dried up.

The New Yorker

Investment dried up.

The New Yorker

The money dried up.

The Guardian

"Nothing's dried up yet".

The New York Times

"The offers dried up".

The New York Times

But then things dried up.

The New York Times - Science

Mr. Govindan's land dried up.

The New York Times

Work dried up almost completely.

The Guardian - Money

Our credit is dried up".

The New York Times - Magazine

The presents eventually dried up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jobs in general dried up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dried up" to describe financial resources, ensure the context clearly indicates a complete lack of availability. For example, "Funding for the project dried up after the initial investment phase."

Common error

Avoid using "dried up" when a more specific term like "decreased" or "slowed" is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "Interest in the topic dried up", consider "Interest in the topic waned" for better precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dried up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often used intransitively to describe the cessation or disappearance of something, such as resources, opportunities, or liquids. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to indicate a depletion or termination.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dried up" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the cessation or disappearance of something, often resources or opportunities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure its appropriateness, especially in more formal writing. The most common authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist, highlighting its prevalence in journalistic reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dried out

Focuses on the lack of moisture and liquidity, suitable for physical descriptions or financial contexts involving cash flow.

disappeared

Suggests something is no longer present or available, often without a clear explanation.

depleted

Indicates a significant reduction in quantity or availability, often used for resources.

vanished

Indicates a sudden and complete disappearance, emphasizing the lack of visibility or availability.

dwindled

Indicates a gradual reduction in size, amount, or strength, suggesting a slow decline.

ran out

Suggests a complete exhaustion of a resource or supply, indicating nothing is left.

ceased

Implies a formal ending or termination of something, often used in business or official contexts.

evaporated

Implies a complete and often sudden disappearance, similar to water turning into vapor.

petered out

Suggests a gradual fading away or coming to an end, often used for enthusiasm or energy.

fizzled out

Implies a failure to produce the intended result, often used for plans or projects.

FAQs

How can I use "dried up" in a sentence?

You can use "dried up" to describe a situation where something has ceased or disappeared. For example, "The river "dried up" during the drought", or "Job opportunities "dried up" after the economic downturn".

What can I say instead of "dried up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "vanished", "depleted", or "ceased" to convey similar meanings.

Is it appropriate to use "dried up" in formal writing?

While "dried up" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "diminished" or "depleted" might be preferred in academic or business contexts for enhanced precision.

Can "dried up" refer to emotional states?

While less common, "dried up" can metaphorically describe a lack of emotional expression or creativity. For example, "Her inspiration "dried up" after the stressful event". However, consider alternatives like "stifled" or "waned" for more nuanced expression.