swan dive

¹ American  

noun

Diving.

1. a forward dive in which the diver while in the air assumes a position with the arms outstretched at shoulder height and the legs straight and together, and enters the water with the arms stretched above the head.

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swan-dive ² American  

[swon-dahyv] / ˈswɒnˌdaɪv /

verb (used without object)

swan-dived, swan-diving

1. to perform a swan dive.

2. to decrease suddenly and decisively; plummet.

   Stock prices swan-dived overnight.

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swan dive British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): swallow dive.  a type of dive in which the diver arches back while in the air, keeping his legs straight and together and his arms outstretched, finally entering the water headfirst

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Etymology

Origin of swan dive

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Argentina then took charge of the breakdown and a smart turnover set them on their way for Joaquin Oviedo to swan dive under the posts.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2024

St. John Bosco's Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa showing off his swan dive against Centennial.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2023

The conditions prompted Diaz to do a swan dive and others to make snow angels, and left maintenance crews at Coors Field hoisting shovels full of hail and working to restore order to the field.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2023

This was all happening on the same afternoon that Facebook’s stock was taking a record-breaking swan dive.

From Washington Post • Aug. 4, 2018

I wish I could say it was a perfect swan dive.

From "The Lions of Little Rock" by Kristin Levine