dash off
1. To leave quickly. The burglar dashed off as soon as he heard the security alarm. I'm sorry to dash off, but I'll miss the bus if I don't leave now. No, I didn't see Allison—she must have dashed off as soon as the exam was finished.
2. To do or make something quickly, especially to write, bake, or cook something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dash" and "off." At the very least, just dash a note off to Aunt Mildred and thank her for the gift. I have no time, but I somehow have to dash off a tray of cookies for the bake sale. Ugh! You should at least dash a letter off to your parents so that they know you arrived safe and sound.
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. I'm sorry to cut things short, but I really need to dash off to the bus stop now.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.