dip into: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “dip into” mean?
To take a small, casual, or non-exhaustive amount from a larger source or reserve.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To take a small, casual, or non-exhaustive amount from a larger source or reserve.
To briefly engage with or sample something, especially a text, topic, or financial resource, without deep or prolonged involvement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. 'Savings' is a very common collocation in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of casual or partial use.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English corpus data for the 'sampling a book' sense.
Grammar
How to Use “dip into” in a Sentence
SUBJ + dip into + OBJ (resource/pool)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dip into” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I had to dip into my holiday fund to repair the car.
- It's a great reference book to dip into now and then.
American English
- We dipped into our retirement savings for the down payment.
- He dipped into the report but didn't read it all.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We may need to dip into our contingency fund this quarter."
Academic
"The author encourages readers to dip into chapters as needed."
Everyday
"Can I dip into the hummus while we wait?"
Technical
Not typically used in technical registers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dip into”
- *I dipped my book into the topic. (Incorrect object).
- Using it to mean 'deeply study' (e.g., *I spent the weekend dipping into quantum physics).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but this is the literal meaning of 'dip' plus the preposition 'into' (e.g., dip a brush into paint). The phrasal verb 'dip into' as a unit has the idiomatic meaning described.
It is neutral to informal. In very formal financial or academic writing, alternatives like 'draw upon' or 'consult selectively' might be preferred.
No. While a very common use is financial ('dip into savings'), it applies to any resource pool: time, knowledge, food, or a collection of writings.
They are similar for reading. 'Browse' is more specifically for looking through things casually (shops, books). 'Dip into' emphasises taking a small sample from a larger, contained source (a book, your knowledge). You browse a library, but you dip into a specific book.
To take a small, casual, or non-exhaustive amount from a larger source or reserve.
Dip into: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪp ˌɪn.tuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪp ˌɪn.tu/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dip into your pocket (to pay for something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine dipping a chip into a large salsa bowl—you take only a small bit from the big supply.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE LIQUIDS (you dip into a pool of money/knowledge).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'dip into' CORRECTLY?