plunge
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).
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.
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).
Idioms about plunge
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
1synonym study For plunge
Other words for plunge
Other words from plunge
- re·plunge, verb, re·plunged, re·plung·ing; noun
- un·plunged, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use plunge in a sentence
Monica Lewinsky’s ‘Vanity Fair’ article reluctantly plunges us straight back into the frothing world of ‘90s gossip.
Albert screams and waves his hands in the air as our car plunges along the tracks, but the ride is unworthy of its hype.
The Stacks: The Inimitable Albert Brooks Caught at the Dawn of His Movie Career | Paul Slansky | April 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt plunges into a vast trove of transaction data and comes up with related products.
This is What Happens When You Teach Machines the Power of Natural Selection | James Barrat | February 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRobot Maria was one of the very first evil AIs in film and with her innocent doe-eyes she plunges Metropolis into complete chaos.
Terminator, Wall-E & More of the Best Robots in Film (Video) | Victoria Kezra | July 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe loss of his great loss plunges the narrator into despair and misery - for himself.
The ground shakes and out from the darkness of the forest plunges a huge buffalo.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton WadeThe chasm into which a mile-wide sheet of water plunges has been plumbed to twice the depth of Niagara.
He reaches an overhead vent admitting a cool torrent of snow, and with the inseparable box plunges ahead into darkness.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas MawsonHe loses his daughter, who was devoted to him; and her death nearly plunges him into despair.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VI | John LordNo; he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and it is his immutability that plunges me into despair.
The Sheepfold and the Common, Vol. II (of 2) | Timothy East
British Dictionary definitions for plunge
/ (plʌndʒ) /
(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
(intr) informal to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc
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 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
Origin of plunge
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with plunge
see take the plunge.
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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