take the plunge

[pluhnj] Origin

plunge

[pluhnj] verb, plunged, plung·ing, noun
verb (used with object)
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)
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.
EXPAND
10.
to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.
COLLAPSE

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Take the plunge is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
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.
EXPAND
16.
Geology. pitch (def. 48).
COLLAPSE
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)erVulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb

re·plunge, verb, re·plunged, re·plung·ing; noun
un·plunged, adjective


1. See dip1. 5. dive. 6. hasten. 9. drop.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To take the plunge
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

plunge
c.1380, from O.Fr. plungier (c.1140), from V.L. *plumbicare "to heave the lead," from L. plumbum "lead" (see plumb). Original notion perhaps is of a sounding lead or a fishing net weighted with lead. Fig. use in take the plunge "commit oneself" is from 1845. Plunger as a mechanism
EXPAND
is from 1777. Plunging neckline attested from 1949.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary

take the plunge definition


  1. tv.
    to marry someone. : I'm not ready to take the plunge yet.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

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]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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