dabble in

IPA/dˈabəl ˈɪn/
IPA/dˈæbəl ˈɪn/

dabble in — phrasal verb

  • dabble inbase form
  • dabbles in3rd person singular
  • dabbling in-ing form
  • dabbled inpast simple

1. to do an activity or learn about a subject only a little and without much commit

1.片語動詞不及物C1
釋義

to do an activity or learn about a subject only a little and without much commitment, often just to find out what it is like

例句

Tariq dabbled in oil painting one summer but never sold a single canvas.

dabble in + hobby noun, showing brief casual involvement

Before becoming a lawyer, Élise dabbled in local politics for a year or two.

dabble in + abstract field, showing short non-serious interest

同義詞
  • dip into

    also informal; suggests sampling a little of something, often a book or subject

  • experiment with

    more neutral; focuses on trying to learn rather than on low commitment

  • toy with

    suggests considering or playing at something without real intent

反義詞
  • specialize in

    to commit deeply to one field, the opposite of casual involvement

  • master

    to become highly skilled, opposite of staying an amateur

文法句型

dabble in + noun

dabble in + -ing

用法筆記

Often carries a mild suggestion that the person is not serious or skilled — saying someone 'dabbles in' a field implies they are an amateur, not an expert. The object is usually a hobby, art, or field of study.

常見錯誤

❌She dabbles painting on weekends.
✅She dabbles in painting on weekends.
💡the preposition 'in' is required; you cannot drop it.
❌He has dabbled in to photography.
✅He has dabbled in photography.
💡use a noun or -ing form directly after 'in', not a to-infinitive.