dry run

USAGE SUMMARY

"dry run" is a commonly used idiom in written English.
It means to practice or rehearse an activity, often one that requires skill or technique, before attempting it for real. For example, "Mary did a dry run of her presentation to make sure all of her slides were organized correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A dry run," he says.

The New York Times

They had practiced a dry run together.

The New York Times

(Ironically, its title is "Dry Run").

The New York Times

@nicolaadams2012 won gold in the dry run.

The Guardian - Sport

A dry run, if you will.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Not a rehearsal, not a dry run.

The Guardian

For Wakefield, think of two hundred as a dry run.

The New Yorker

The first dry run for the Cup was disappointing.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a dry run for Captain Dobey.

The Guardian

"It's not like you get a dry run".

The New York Times

Is Marlowe's play only a dry run for Shakespeare?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dry run" when referring to a practice session that aims to identify potential problems or refine a process before its actual implementation.

Common error

Avoid using "dry run" to describe a situation where actual consequences are involved; it's meant for simulations or practices where mistakes don't have real repercussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dry run" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it signifies a preparatory exercise or rehearsal conducted before the real event. For instance, "They did a 'dry run' of the demonstration before showing it to the CEO."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dry run" is a noun phrase that refers to a practice session or rehearsal conducted before an actual event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, signifying a preparatory exercise aimed at identifying potential problems. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, including news reports, wikis, and scientific articles. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. Related phrases include "trial run", "practice session", and "rehearsal".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trial run

Similar to "dry run", but implies testing something to see if it works.

test run

Focuses on the aspect of testing a system or process.

dummy run

Synonymous with "dry run", but less commonly used.

rehearsal

A more formal synonym, often used in the context of performing arts.

mock exercise

Emphasizes the simulated nature of the practice.

practice session

Replaces "run" with "session", focusing on the activity rather than the process.

preparatory drill

Highlights the aspect of training and preparation.

preliminary practice

More descriptive, emphasizing the preparatory nature.

dress rehearsal

Specifically for practicing a performance with costumes and props.

walk-through

Focuses on understanding the steps involved in a process.

FAQs

How can I use "dry run" in a sentence?

You can use "dry run" to describe a practice session or rehearsal. For example, "The team conducted a "dry run" of the presentation to ensure a smooth delivery".

What's a good alternative to "dry run"?

Alternatives include "trial run", "practice session", or "rehearsal", depending on the context.

What does it mean to conduct a "dry run"?

To conduct a "dry run" means to perform a practice session or simulation of an activity or event to identify potential issues and ensure everything runs smoothly during the actual event.

Is "dry run" only used for physical activities?

No, "dry run" can be used for both physical activities and non-physical processes, such as presentations, software deployments, or any other complex operation where prior practice is beneficial.