to be dashed

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be dashed" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It typically means to be disappointed, frustrated, or disheartened. For example, "He was hoping to get the promotion, but his dreams were dashed when he found out someone else got the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Hopes had to be dashed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their hopes are about to be dashed.

The New York Times

My expectations were ridiculously high.' And destined to be dashed.

The Guardian - Film

Those hopes are almost certain to be dashed.

The Guardian

Their hopes of making Germany looked set to be dashed.

The Guardian - Sport

I know what I expect of Eton, but already I expect my expectations to be dashed.

The Guardian - Books

Those hopes are likely to be dashed, given the bleak outlook.

The New York Times

But if the pope's words have fed expectations of a "High Noon -style showdowNoon -style likely to be dashowdown

The New York Times

"So often hopes for peace have been raised, only to be dashed by new waves of violence".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It wouldn't be right for me to be dashing off on trips.

The Guardian

I didn't recognise my lucky position because I was too much of a workaholic to be dashing around town.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "to be dashed" when you want to emphasize the sudden and complete failure of a plan or expectation. It adds a layer of emotional impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to be dashed" in overly casual or informal contexts. While grammatically correct, the phrase carries a certain weight and formality that may seem out of place in everyday conversation or informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be dashed" functions primarily as a passive construction, typically used to describe a situation where someone's hopes, plans, or expectations are ruined or thwarted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be dashed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as noted by Ludwig AI, predominantly in formal writing and news contexts. It serves to express disappointment or the thwarting of hopes and expectations. While it's correct to use in various contexts, awareness of its slightly formal tone is key to avoiding misapplication in overly casual settings. Consider synonyms like "to be disappointed" or "to be crushed" for similar, yet nuanced, expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be disappointed

Focuses specifically on the feeling of disappointment as a result of unmet expectations.

to be crushed

Emphasizes the intensity of the disappointment, suggesting a more severe emotional impact.

to be thwarted

Highlights the obstruction or prevention of a plan or ambition.

to be ruined

Indicates a complete failure or destruction of plans or hopes.

to fall flat

Suggests a lack of success or impact, implying that efforts did not produce the desired outcome.

to come to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of result or achievement, indicating that efforts were ultimately fruitless.

to prove futile

Highlights the ineffectiveness or uselessness of an action or plan.

to be nullified

Focuses on the cancellation or invalidation of something that was expected or hoped for.

to be negated

Indicates that something has been effectively cancelled out or made void.

to dissolve into thin air

Emphasizes the disappearance or vanishing of hopes or plans, suggesting a complete and sudden end.

FAQs

How can I use "to be dashed" in a sentence?

You can use "to be dashed" to describe hopes or expectations that are suddenly ruined or proven false. For example, "His hopes of winning the competition were dashed when he fell ill."

What does "to be dashed" mean?

"To be dashed" means to be disappointed or to have your hopes or expectations ruined. It implies a sudden and often disheartening end to something you were looking forward to.

What can I say instead of "to be dashed"?

You can use alternatives like "to be disappointed", "to be crushed", or "to be thwarted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to be dashed" a formal or informal expression?

"To be dashed" is generally considered a more formal expression. While grammatically correct, it's often used in writing and less common in everyday conversation. More informal alternatives might include "to be let down" or "to be bummed out".