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to make a dash for

to make a dash for

2 3.4
Run quickly toward a place or thing to reach it first
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : correr hacia
  • In the excitement of the game, she made a quick dashing for the final goal.
  • made a dash for the door
  • made a dash for freedom
  • make a dash for the nearest

Examples

  • When they saw the bus approaching, they had to make a dash for the stop.

  • Harry makes a dash for the door to the Fortune Telling Room.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • We're gonna have to make a dash for it.

  • We made a dash for the nearest restaurant, which just happened to be Stars and Bars.

  • The frightened woman decides to make a dash for it.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • After the transaction, feeling completely paranoid, as if everyone is staring at me, I make a dash for the door.

    Blog text (33)
  • "Come on, girls, let's make a dash for it," said Laurie.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Jill turns and makes a dash for the open door, wincing at the pain in her leg.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • When he decided that Hasan wasn't close to being out of ammo, Smith made a dash for the door.

    Blog text (31)
  • He decided to make a dash for the exit as soon as the fire alarm rang.

Synonyms

to run
vsto make a dash for
1.0

To move a boat fast in the same direction as the wind

is narrower, aiming to reach a particular place before something else
to rush
vsto make a dash for
548 1.0

To move or act quickly because a situation needs it

is mainly about running to reach a place before someone or something
to dash
vsto make a dash for
73 1.0

To move very quickly to reach a place

is specifically about running to reach a place before someone or something
to bolt
vsto make a dash for
69 2.3

To run away suddenly to escape danger

is about running toward a place to arrive before someone or something
sprint
vsto make a dash for
55 2.1

A short, very fast run over a small distance

is about running toward a place to arrive before something else
to flash
vsto make a dash for
12 2.2

To move very quickly for a short time

is focused on moving toward a place to get there before another event
to leg it
vsto make a dash for
  • UK
1 9.0

Move quickly on foot to escape or reach a place fast

is focused on running toward a place to arrive before another event
to rush along
vsto make a dash for
1 2.7

To move quickly in one direction

is about running toward a place to arrive before something else
to elance
vsto make a dash for
9.9

To move suddenly and fast in one direction

is about running toward a place to arrive before something else
to run amain
vsto make a dash for
  • Archaic
9.9

To move very fast on foot to get somewhere quickly

is specifically about running toward a place to arrive before something else
to bolt down
vsto make a dash for
  • Informal
6.1

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

is about running toward a place to reach it before another occurrence

Antonyms

632 3.5

Leave a person, place, or situation without taking part anymore

to stay put
  • Informal
133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

How Fast

sprint
55 2.1
to make a dash for
2 3.4

Surface Forms

make a dash for infinitive
made a dash for past participle
making a dash for present participle
makes a dash for third person singular

Morphology

make + a + dash + for

The phrase's meaning is directly derivable from its parts: 'dash' is a short, fast run and 'make ... for' indicates attempting or moving towards a target, so 'make a dash for' literally means to run quickly towards something. This compositional motion/goal pattern is common across languages and follows standard English grammar, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should understand it.

Etymology

Make a dash for comes from the image of making a sudden, fast run: a short move called a dash straight toward something. That's why it means 'to run quickly toward' a place or thing to reach it before someone else or before something happens.