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dash
cut a dash
To have a striking, attractive, and elegant appearance (in one's style of clothes). Primarily heard in UK. Louise really cut a dash in her new dress at her sister's wedding. Some people find it strange to get so dressed up for everyday events, but I believe one should always try to cut a dash whenever possible.
dash off (somewhere)
To quickly and suddenly leave (to some place). I'm just going to dash off to the pub for a quick pint. She dashed off as soon as the exam was finished.
cut a fine figure
to look good; to look elegant. (Usually said of a male.) Tom really cuts a fine figure on the dance floor. Bill cuts a fine figure since he bought some new clothes.
dash a note off
and dash a letter offto write a note or letter quickly and send it off. I have to dash this letter off, then I will be with you. I'll dash off a note to her.
dash across something
to run quickly across some area. John dashed across the busy street and ran in the door. The dog dashed across the yard and confronted the meter reader.
dash away
and dash offto run away; to leave in a hurry. I must dash away. See you tomorrow. Juan had to dash away to an appointment. Ken dashed off and left me behind to deal with the angry customer.
dash out (for something)
[for someone] to leave a place in a hurry to get something. Harry dashed out for some cigarettes. Excuse me. I just have to dash out.
dash over (for something)
[for someone] to come by quickly for something such as a brief visit. I just dashed over for a cup of sugar. Can you spare it? I needed some sugar, so I just dashed over.
dash someone or something against someone or something
to throw or fling someone or something at or against someone or something. Sam dashed the bottle against the floor, shattering it. Alice dashed the box against Ed, throwing him off balance.
dash someone's hopes
Fig. to ruin someone's hopes; to put an end to someone's dreams or aspirations. Mary dashed my hopes when she said she wouldn't marry me.
dash something off
to make or do something quickly. I will dash this off now and try to take more time with the rest of them. I will see if I can dash off a cherry pie before dinner.
dash something to pieces
to break something into small pieces. She dashed the glass to pieces on the floor—she was so mad. The potter dashed the imperfect pot to pieces.
make a dash for someone or something
to run quickly for someone or something. Suddenly Max made a dash for Lefty and punched him in the stomach. John made a dash for the bathroom as soon as they arrived home.
pour cold water on something
1. Lit. to douse something with cold water. Pour cold water on the vegetables to freshen them. I poured cold water on my head to cool myself off.
2. and dash cold water on something; throw cold water on something Fig. to discourage doing something; to reduce enthusiasm for something. (Alludes to cooling passion with cold water.) When my father said I couldn't have the car, he poured cold water on my plans. John threw cold water on the whole project by refusing to participate.
pour/throw cold water on something
(informal) if you pour cold water on opinions or ideas, you criticize them and stop people believing them or being excited about them Margaret Thatcher poured cold water on the idea of a European central bank.
cut a fine figure
(British, American & Australian old-fashioned) also cut a dash (British old-fashioned) if someone cuts a fine figure, people admire their appearance, usually because they are wearing attractive clothes Giles cut a fine figure in his black velvet suit. Lucy cut a dash in her purple satin ballgown.
dash off
1. Write or sketch hastily, as in I'm just going to dash off a letter. [Early 1700s]
2. Hurry away, depart hastily, as in He dashed off as though he was being chased. This usage employs the verb dash in the sense of "impetuously run" or "rush," a usage dating from about 1300.
dash someone's hopes
Destroy someone's plans, disappoint or disillusion. For example, That fall dashed her hopes of a gold medal. This term uses dash in the sense of "destroy," a usage surviving only in this idiom. [Second half of 1500s]
pour cold water on
Also, throw cold water on. Discourage or deter, as in Cutting my year-end bonus poured cold water on my loyalty to the company, or Hearing about the outbreak of cholera threw cold water on our plans to visit Bolivia. This term, with its image of putting out a fire with water, at one time meant "defame" or "slander"; the modern meaning dates from about 1800.
dash off
v.1. To depart in a hurry: When the bell rang, he excused himself from the lunch table and dashed off to class.
2. To write or draw something hurriedly: She dashed off a note that explained where she was going. He dashed a memo off to the staff explaining the new dress code.
slap-dash
mod. fast and careless. I wish you hadn’t done it in such a slap-dash fashion.