it dissolved like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it dissolved like" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that disappears or breaks down quickly, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The sugar cube dissolved like a dream, leaving no trace behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But almost as quickly as the hype was generated, it dissolved, like a meteor flaming out across the night sky.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When the curtain comes down it dissolves like a light smattering of snow.

The Guardian

"My Sister's Keeper" takes on a very tough subject — and has, in Anna and Kate, two pretty tough characters played by strong young actresses — but ultimately it is too soft, too easy, and it dissolves like a tear-soaked tissue.

The New York Times

When the gelatin is dissolved (like before), add 1/2 cup of cold water and let cool at room temperature.

WikiHow

Use a facial scrub that dissolves (like sugar) instead of using micro beads is better for your skin.

WikiHow

Since curcumin is a pure substance isolated from Curcuma longa, it will have the same chemical properties and therefore – given that it is properly dissolved like in this study using DMSO in non-toxic concentrations – then it should not be different from any other study.

F1000Research

Salt water: it dissolved a Shoggoth like a slug.

The New Yorker

Now, not 10 years later, it has all dissolved like a dream.

The New Yorker

Bracing myself for impact, I dissolve like a ghost into a hazy open staircase that leads nowhere, and out the other side.

Huffington Post

This is easily understood when taking the "likes dissolve likes" principle into consideration.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

I looked at it and my thoughts dissolved like foam on an ocean.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it dissolved like" to create vivid comparisons when describing something that disappears quickly or loses its form, but ensure the comparison is easily understood by your audience. For instance, "it dissolved like sugar in water" is more universally relatable than "it dissolved like a fleeting memory".

Common error

While effective, the simile "it dissolved like" can become a cliché if overused. Vary your descriptions with alternatives such as "it vanished as quickly as" or "it faded like a dream" to maintain freshness and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it dissolved like" primarily functions as a simile, using the verb "dissolved" to describe a process of disappearing or breaking down, and "like" to draw a comparison. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in describing abstract concepts fading or physical objects disappearing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it dissolved like" is a grammatically sound and commonly used simile to describe something disappearing or breaking down in a manner that invites comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across news, media, science, and even informal contexts. While versatile, be mindful of overusing this construction; diversifying with alternatives such as "it vanished as" or "it faded like" can enhance the impact of your writing and to prevent using a cliché. Remember, it's a great tool for creating vivid imagery but ensure its aptness for your intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it melted away like

Emphasizes a gradual disappearance, similar to melting, maintaining the simile structure.

it faded like

Highlights the gradual loss of visibility or intensity, keeping the simile structure.

it vanished as

Focuses on the disappearance aspect, replacing "dissolved" with "vanished" and "like" with "as".

it disintegrated like

Stresses the breaking apart or crumbling aspect, maintaining the simile structure.

it dissipated as

Conveys a sense of scattering and fading, replacing "dissolved" with "dissipated" and "like" with "as".

it disappeared as if

Focuses on the complete disappearance, adding a slight emphasis on the unexpectedness.

it resolved into

Suggests a transformation into something else, rather than a complete vanishing.

it disintegrated into

Implies a breaking down into components, emphasizing the destructive aspect.

it dematerialized like

Introduces a more fantastical element, suggesting a removal from the physical world.

it was gone as

Simplifies the expression to a basic statement of disappearance, "gone as" retains a bit of the imagery.

FAQs

How can I use "it dissolved like" in a sentence?

You can use "it dissolved like" to vividly describe something disappearing or losing its form quickly, such as "The tension in the room it dissolved like mist in the morning sun".

What can I say instead of "it dissolved like"?

You can use alternatives like "it vanished as", "it melted away like", or "it faded like" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it dissolved like" or "it dissolved as"?

"It dissolved like" is generally preferred when making a direct comparison using a simile. "It dissolved as" can work, but it's less common and might require a slightly different sentence structure to sound natural.

What's the difference between "it dissolved like" and "it faded like"?

"It dissolved like" suggests a complete disappearance or breaking down of something, while "it faded like" implies a gradual loss of visibility or intensity. The choice depends on the specific way the subject disappeared.