Got to dash vs Hurry vs Speed

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Got to dash

InformalTop 3,000 (common)

Hurry

Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb

Speed

Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
 Got to dashHurrySpeed
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɡɒt tə dæʃ//🇺🇸 //ɡɑt tə dæʃ//🇬🇧 /["/ˈhʌri/","/ˈhʌriz/","/ˈhʌrid/","/ˈhʌriɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhɜːri/","/ˈhɜːriz/","/ˈhɜːrid/","/ˈhɜːriɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 /["/spiːd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/spiːd/"]/
MeaningNeed to leave quickly.To go fast or make someone go fast.How fast something moves.
ExampleI really got to dash if I want to catch the bus.You need to hurry if you want to catch the bus.The speed of the car was incredible as it raced down the highway.
RegisterInformalNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-B1A2
Part of speechverbnoun
Collocationsgot to go, got to run, got to hurryhurry up, in a hurry, hurry home, hurry along, hurry to finishamazing, astonishing, breakneck, burst, rate, attain, reach, build up, increase, decrease, control, reduction, restriction, at speed, in speed, with speed, at full speed, full speed, full speed ahead, amazing, astonishing, breakneck, burst, rate, attain, reach, build up, increase, decrease, control, reduction, restriction, at speed, in speed, with speed, at full speed, full speed, full speed ahead, amazing, astonishing, breakneck, burst, rate, attain, reach, build up, increase, decrease, control, reduction, restriction, at speed, in speed, with speed, at full speed, full speed, full speed ahead
Antonyms-delay, slow, pauseslowness, laziness
Common mistakesUsed in formal contexts like business meetings., Confused with 'have to hurry'., Mispronounced, leading to misunderstandings.Confusing 'hurry' with 'rush' in different contexts., Using 'hurry' without an object when one is needed., Mispronouncing 'hurry' as if it has two syllables.Confusing 'speed' with 'pace' when referring to a specific time or distance., Incorrectly using 'speed' as a verb in sentences., Saying 'the speed' when discussing averages — should specify the context (e.g., 'average speed').
Usage notesUse in casual conversations. It’s suitable among friends but may not be appropriate in formal situations.Use 'hurry' when you need to act quickly. It's suitable for all types of communication but avoid it in very formal contexts.Use 'speed' in everyday conversations about how quickly something happens. It is appropriate in most contexts, but avoid using it in highly technical discussions unless specifying the type of speed.

See it in real clips

Got to dash
Hurry
Speed

Frequently asked questions: Got to dash vs Hurry vs Speed

What's the difference between Got to dash, Hurry, and Speed?

Got to dash: Need to leave quickly. Hurry: To go fast or make someone go fast. Speed: How fast something moves.

Which is more advanced: Got to dash, Hurry, and Speed?

Hurry is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.

Can you show an example of each?

Got to dash: I really got to dash if I want to catch the bus. Hurry: You need to hurry if you want to catch the bus. Speed: The speed of the car was incredible as it raced down the highway.

Can I use Got to dash, Hurry, and Speed interchangeably?

Not always. Got to dash, Hurry, and Speed are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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