plunge

[pluhnj]

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verb (used with object), plunged, plung·ing.

to cast or thrust forcibly or suddenly into something, as a liquid, a penetrable substance, a place, etc.; immerse; submerge: to plunge a dagger into one's heart.

to bring suddenly or forcibly into some condition, situation, etc.: to plunge a country into war; to pull a switch and plunge a house into darkness.

Horticulture. to place (a potted plant) up to its rim in soil or in certain other materials, as sand or moss.

Surveying. to transit (the telescope of a transit or theodolite).

verb (used without object), plunged, plung·ing.

to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.

to rush or dash with headlong haste: to plunge through a crowd.

to bet or speculate recklessly: to plunge on the stock market.

to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc.: to plunge into debt.

to descend abruptly or precipitously, as a cliff, road, etc.

to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.

noun

act of plunging.

a leap or dive, as into water.

a headlong or impetuous rush or dash: a plunge into danger.

a sudden, violent pitching movement.

a place for plunging or diving, as a swimming pool.

Geology. pitch¹(def 45).

Nearby words

Idioms

take the plunge, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action, as after hesitation or deliberation: She took the plunge and invested her entire savings in the plan.

Origin of plunge

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French plung(i)er ≪ Vulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb

SYNONYMS FOR plunge

5. dive. 6. hasten. 9. drop.

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Related formsre·plunge, verb, re·plunged, re·plung·ing; nounun·plunged, adjective

Synonym study

1. See dip¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for take the plunge

plunge

verb

(usually foll by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc)they plunged into the sea

to throw or be thrown into a certain state or conditionthe room was plunged into darkness

(usually foll by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in)he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit

(intr) to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity

(intr) to descend very suddenly or steeplythe ship plunged in heavy seas; a plunging neckline

(intr) informal to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc

noun

a leap or dive as into water

informal a swim; dip

mainly US a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool

a headlong rusha plunge for the exit

a pitching or tossing motion

take the plunge informal

to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable
to get married

Word Origin for plunge

C14: from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin plumbicāre (unattested) to sound with a plummet, from Latin plumbum lead

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for take the plunge

plunge

late 14c., "to put or thrust violently into," also intransitive, from Old French plongier "plunge, sink into; plunge into, dive in" (mid-12c., Modern French plonger), from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare "to heave the lead," from Latin plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)). Original notion perhaps is of a sounding lead or a fishing net weighted with lead. Related: Plunged; plunging. Plunging neckline attested from 1949.

plunge

c.1400, "deep pool," from plunge (v.). From late 15c. as "a sudden pitch forward;" meaning "act of plunging" is from 1711. Figurative use in take the plunge "commit oneself" is from 1845, from earlier noun sense of "point of being in trouble or danger" (1530s).

Idioms and Phrases with take the plunge

take the plunge

Venture something, commit oneself, as in You've been living together for a year, so when are you going to take the plunge and get married? It is also put as make the plunge, plunge alluding to diving in a body of water. [Mid-1800s]

plunge

see take the plunge.

plunge

verb (used with object), plunged, plung·ing.

verb (used without object), plunged, plung·ing.

noun

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plunge

verb

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plunge

plunge

take the plunge

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