plunge

[pluhnj] /plʌndʒ/
verb (used with object), plunged, plunging.
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
Horticulture. to place (a potted plant) up to its rim in soil or in certain other materials, as sand or moss.
4.
Surveying. to transit (the telescope of a transit or theodolite).
verb (used without object), plunged, plunging.
5.
to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.
6.
to rush or dash with headlong haste:
to plunge through a crowd.
7.
to bet or speculate recklessly:
to plunge on the stock market.
8.
to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc.:
to plunge into debt.
9.
to descend abruptly or precipitously, as a cliff, road, etc.
10.
to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.
noun
11.
act of plunging.
12.
a leap or dive, as into water.
13.
a headlong or impetuous rush or dash:
a plunge into danger.
14.
a sudden, violent pitching movement.
15.
a place for plunging or diving, as a swimming pool.
16.
Geology, pitch (def 48).
Idioms
17.
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
1325-75; Middle English < Middle French plung(i)er ≪ Vulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb
Related forms
replunge, verb, replunged, replunging; noun
unplunged, adjective
Synonyms
1. See dip1 . 5. dive. 6. hasten. 9. drop.
British Dictionary definitions for take the plunge

plunge

/plʌndʒ/
verb
1.
(usually foll by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc): they plunged into the sea
2.
to throw or be thrown into a certain state or condition: the room was plunged into darkness
3.
(usually foll by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in): he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit
4.
(intransitive) to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
5.
(intransitive) to descend very suddenly or steeply: the ship plunged in heavy seas, a plunging neckline
6.
(intransitive) (informal) to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc
noun
7.
a leap or dive as into water
8.
(informal) a swim; dip
9.
(mainly US) a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool
10.
a headlong rush: a plunge for the exit
11.
a pitching or tossing motion
12.
(informal) take the plunge
  1. to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable
  2. to get married
Word Origin
C14: from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin plumbicāre (unattested) to sound with a plummet, from Latin plumbum lead
Word Origin and History for take the plunge

plunge

v.

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.

n.

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).

Slang definitions & phrases for take the plunge

take the plunge

verb phrase

To act decisively, despite prior apprehension: He took the plunge and bought a new computer (1876+)


plunge

verb

To bet or speculate recklessly (1876+)


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