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plunge
[ pluhnj ]
verb (used with object)
- 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)
- to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.
Synonyms:
- to rush or dash with headlong haste:
to plunge through a crowd.
Synonyms:
- 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.
Synonyms:
- 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. pitch 1( def 45 ).
plunge
/ ʌԻ /
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 condition
the 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 steeply
the ship plunged in heavy seas
a plunging neckline
- informal.intr to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc
noun
- a leap or dive as into water
- informal.a swim; dip
- a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool
- a headlong rush
a plunge for the exit
- a pitching or tossing motion
- take the plunge informal.
- to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable
- to get married
Other Word Forms
- ·ܲԲ verb replunged replunging noun
- ܲ·ܲԲ adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of plunge1
Idioms and Phrases
- 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.
More idioms and phrases containing plunge
see take the plunge .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Goldstein dives into the culture shock of being plunged into the American comedy scene, visiting the White House, his love of musicals, and why his experience on “Sesame Street” changed his life forever.
Many hold Hamas responsible for plunging the tiny, impoverished territory into the worst crisis faced by Palestinians in more than 70 years.
Tesla boss Elon Musk said he will cut back his role in the Trump administration as the company's latest profits and revenues showed a plunge during the beginning of the year.
Housing construction in Los Angeles plunged during the first quarter of 2025, according to a new report, a drop off that could ultimately worsen the city’s affordability crisis.
US stocks and the dollar plunged again as President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on US central bank boss calling him "a major loser" for not lowering interest rates.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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