Definition

Verb (transitive) 1. To write or compose something very quickly and often carelessly: The core meaning is to produce written text with great speed and urgency, typically without careful planning or revision.

Usage

This verb is used to describe the rapid, often impulsive, act of writing. It emphasizes speed over careful craftsmanship. The object is typically the thing being written (e.g., a note, letter, list).

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • He dashed down a few ideas before the meeting started.
  • I need to dash down this phone number before I forget it.
• With Direct Object:
  • She dashed down a quick email to confirm her attendance.
  • The reporter dashed down the quote as the speaker finished.

Advanced Usage

• The phrasal verb is often used in contexts where time is limited or inspiration is fleeting, capturing a thought or message before it is lost.
• It can imply that the writing is a rough draft or a temporary record, not a final, polished piece.

Variants and Related Words

• Dash off (verb): A very close synonym, often interchangeable with "dash down." (e.g., )
• Jot down (verb): Also means to write quickly, but often for shorter notes or reminders, with less emphasis on composition.
• Scribble (verb): To write quickly and carelessly, often resulting in poor handwriting. It can be a synonym but emphasizes the untidy result.

Synonyms

• Write hastily
• Scribble
• Jot down
• Scratch out

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Dash off: As noted above, this is a direct synonym meaning to write or do something quickly. (e.g., / )

Notes on Different Meanings

• The verb "dash" alone has several meanings (e.g., to run quickly, to destroy hopes, a punctuation mark). The phrasal verb "dash down" is specific to the act of quick writing. Do not confuse it with physically dashing (running) down a street or stairs.

Verb

1. write down hastily
   • She dashed off a letter to her lawyer