crash dive

¹

noun

1. a rapid dive by a submarine made at a steep angle, especially to avoid attack from a surface vessel or airplane.

crash-dive

²

[ krash-dahyv, -dahyv ]

verb (used with or without object)

, crash-dived or crash-dove, crash-dived, crash-div·ing.

1. to dive rapidly at a steep angle.

crash dive

noun

1. a sudden steep dive from the surface by a submarine

verb

1. (usually of an aircraft) to descend steeply and rapidly, before hitting the ground
2. to perform or cause to perform a crash dive

Word History and Origins

Origin of crash dive¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Origin of crash dive²

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

He used that as an excuse to crash-dive while your father was sleeping on deck.

From Project Gutenberg

He turned—gazed, jumped back, and pushed the button for a crash dive.

From Project Gutenberg