dash

1 verb

1 to go or run somewhere very quickly

(+ into/across/behind etc): Olive dashed into the room, grabbed her bag and ran out again.

2 (transitive always + adv/prep) to make something move violently against a surface, usually so that it breaks: dash sth against/onto/to etc: The ship was dashed against the rocks.

3 dash sb's hopes to disappoint someone by telling them that what they want is not possible: Budget cuts dashed hopes for several plans proposed by NASA.

4 (I) must dash/(I) have to dash BrE spoken used to tell someone that you must leave quickly: I must dash - I said I'd meet Daniel at eight o'clock.

5 dash it (all)! BrE spoken used to show that you are slightly annoyed or angry about something: Dash it! I can't find my scissors!

6 (intransitive always + adv/prep) if a wave or rain dashes against something it hits it hard: Stormy waves dashed against the shore.

dash off phrasal verb

1 (I) to leave somewhere very quickly: Harry dashed off before she had a chance to thank him.

2 (transitive dash something off) to write or draw something very quickly: She dashed off a quick letter excusing him from school that day.

2 noun

1 LINE (C) a line (-) used in writing and printing, for example in the sentence `Go home - they're waiting for you.'

—compare hyphen

2 make a dash for to run very quickly in order to get away from something or in order to reach something: make a dash for cover/freedom etc: The prisoners made a dash for freedom. | make a dash for it: It's pouring with rain - we'll have to make a dash for it.

3 SMALL AMOUNT (singular) a very small amount of a liquid or other substance

(+ of): Add salt, pepper and a dash of vinegar.

4 a mad dash informal an attempt to get somewhere or do something extremely quickly: When the alarm went there was a mad dash for the exit.

5 SOUND (C) a long sound or flash of light used for sending messages in morse code

—compare dot 1 (4)

6 CAR (C) AmE informal dashboard

7 STYLE (U) old-fashioned style, energy, and courage in someone such as a soldier

8 cut a dash to look very impressive and attractive in particular clothes: Edmond really cut a dash in that white linen suit.