hit a dip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hit a dip" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean a situation in which a person or thing drops suddenly or experiences a setback. For example: When the stock market hit a dip, investors panicked and began to sell their shares.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When Dickson's Cadillac hit a dip near the railroad tracks, her headlights caught a second-story sniper, and she screamed, "Oh, Lord, they're getting ready to shoot".

The New York Times - Magazine

Voigt sustained a concussion and broke the bone under his right eye after his bike hit a dip in the road and he tumbled to the ground.

The New York Times - Sports

The four were in the water about noon when they hit a dip in the sand and Lavell disappeared, the boys told the police.

The New York Times

Witnesses told police that two vehicles were racing at speeds of up to 100 mph when one driver "hit a dip" and lost control, slamming over a curb and smashing through a concrete lamp post, according to Sgt. Daron Wyatt, an Anaheim police spokesman.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Taking a pass from Wilshere, the Frenchman, who had looked barely fit in his previous appearances, carried the ball forward and hit a dipping shot that deflected over Caballero from 20 yards.

The Guardian - Sport

Azarenka hit a dipping backhand passing shot winner to pull to 30-15, buthenen dumped consecutive forehands into the net (one off the return of a tough Williams first serve) to allow the American to hold for 6-5 in the third, putting herself a game away from completing a remarkable third set comeback.

The New York Times

The clock had passed 90 minutes and the game was drifting towards a 2-2 drawhenen Bale, having been clattered by Joey O'Brien, picked himself up, collected a pass from the substitute Tom Carroll and hit a dipping long-range drive that left Jasskelainen flapping at air.

The Guardian - Sport

They had gone close in the first half when Craig Leitch hit a dipping effort which narrowly went over, while at the other end the Royal Navy came closest to breaking the deadlock when Ben Chambers' powerful effort hit the bar.

BBC

Almost immediately after the slightly delayed kick-off caused by a loose advertising board on the roof of a stand, Celtic's Tony Watt hit a dipping half-volley narrowly over Darren Randolph's crossbar following Tom Rogic's flighted pass.

BBC

The advantage was doubled when Barcelona forward Sanchez picked out Valdivia and the Palmeiras midfielder hit a dipping shot in off the underside of the bar from 25 yards.

BBC

First from Cormac who responds to the rather predicable sendings off: "Other inevitable sentences.. Messi goes on a mazy run, Suarez tries to con the ref, Lugano joins cast of new Pirates film... .. ET 10 min: Pastore tries his luck controlling on his thigh before hitting a dipping volley but doesn't dip enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hit a dip" to describe a sudden and often unexpected setback or decline, especially in situations involving progress or movement. It is suitable for describing both physical and metaphorical dips.

Common error

Avoid using "hit a dip" for gradual or prolonged declines; this phrase implies a sudden, noticeable drop rather than a slow descent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hit a dip" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically acting as a verb phrase within a sentence. It describes an action of encountering a sudden drop or decline, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hit a dip" is a correct and usable idiomatic expression that describes encountering a sudden decline or setback. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While its frequency is rare, understanding its proper usage can enhance clarity in writing. Remember to use it for sudden, noticeable drops rather than gradual declines, and consider more formal alternatives like "experienced a setback" for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter a setback

Focuses on the negative experience of a temporary fall in progress.

suffer a setback

Emphasizes the negative impact of an unexpected problem.

experience a decline

Highlights the process of gradual deterioration.

face a downturn

Implies a challenging situation or reversal of fortune.

decline suddenly

Focuses on the abrupt nature of the descent or deterioration.

meet an obstacle

Indicates encountering a hurdle or difficulty.

run into trouble

Signifies facing problems or difficulties unexpectedly.

plummet unexpectedly

Indicates a steep and unforeseen drop.

confront a challenge

Highlights the need to deal with a difficult situation.

stumble upon difficulty

Suggests an accidental or unexpected encounter with a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "hit a dip" in a sentence?

You can use "hit a dip" to describe a sudden decline or setback. For example, "The company's profits "hit a dip" due to unexpected market changes".

What does "hit a dip" mean?

"Hit a dip" refers to experiencing a sudden decline, setback, or a temporary drop in progress or performance.

Which is a better way to describe an accident: "hit a dip" or "encountered an obstacle"?

While both phrases can work, ""hit a dip"" often implies an unintended consequence of movement, while "encountered an obstacle" suggests a more direct and potentially avoidable confrontation.

Are there formal alternatives to "hit a dip"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "experienced a setback", "suffered a decline", or "encountered difficulties".