diff --git a/lib/damask/util.py b/lib/damask/util.py
index cfc44f26c..4aec363c5 100644
--- a/lib/damask/util.py
+++ b/lib/damask/util.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ class bcolors:
     FAIL = '\033[91m'
     ENDC = '\033[0m'
     BOLD = '\033[1m'
+    DIM  = '\033[2m'
     UNDERLINE = '\033[4m'
 
     def disable(self):
@@ -70,9 +71,19 @@ def report_geom(info,
 
 # -----------------------------
 def emph(what):
-  """emphasizes string on screen"""
+  """boldens string"""
   return bcolors.BOLD+srepr(what)+bcolors.ENDC
 
+# -----------------------------
+def deemph(what):
+  """dims string"""
+  return bcolors.DIM+srepr(what)+bcolors.ENDC
+
+# -----------------------------
+def delete(what):
+  """dims string"""
+  return bcolors.DIM+srepr(what)+bcolors.ENDC
+
 # -----------------------------
 def execute(cmd,
             streamIn = None,