plunge
plunge — verb
- plungepresent simple I / you / we / they
- plungeshe / she / it
- plungedpast simple
- plunging-ing form
1. to rush downward or into something, or to make a person or thing do this
to rush downward or into something, or to make a person or thing do this
The skier plunged down the icy hill and hit the fence.
plunge down + slope
A black bird plunged into the lake after a silver fish.
plunge into + water
Firefighters plunged the hot pan into cold water outside.
plunge + object + into + liquid
When the bus stopped, Maya plunged forward and grabbed a rail.
Leo plunged his hand into the bag and found a key.
plunge + body part + into
- plunge into the lake
- plunge down a hill
- plunge forward
- plunge a hand into a bag
- plunge into cold water
Grammar Patterns
plunge into + noun
plunge down/off/forward
plunge + object + into + noun
Usage Note
Often followed by into, down, forward, or off. In transitive use, the object is usually a body part, a tool, or something entering water, darkness, or another space.
Common Mistakes
2. to drop very fast to a much lower level, amount, or value
to drop very fast to a much lower level, amount, or value
Oil prices plunged after the storm closed the main sea route.
prices/plunge
Mina's test score plunged from eighty to fifty in one month.
plunge from X to Y
Ticket sales plunged by half during the week of heavy rain.
plunge by + amount
The town's water level plunged when the dam gate opened.
After the bad review, online orders plunged overnight.
- prices plunge
- sales plunge
- plunge by half
- plunge from eighty to fifty
- plunge overnight
Grammar Patterns
prices/sales/plunge
plunge by + amount
plunge from + number + to + number
Usage Note
The subject is usually a price, score, number, or level. Distinguish from verb/1 FALL: this sense is about a sharp change in amount, not physical movement through space.
Common Mistakes
3. to go steeply downward from a higher point
to go steeply downward from a higher point
The narrow road plunged to the beach between two dark cliffs.
road/path as subject
Behind the house, the garden plunged sharply toward the river.
plunge toward + lower place
A stone path plunged from the temple gate into the valley.
From the lookout, the hillside plunged below the morning clouds.
landform + plunge below
- road plunges to the beach
- path plunges into the valley
- garden plunges toward the river
- hillside plunges below the clouds
- descend
is a more neutral and often more formal word
- drop away
is common in landscape description and highlights a sharp edge
- slope down
is plain and descriptive, with less dramatic force
Grammar Patterns
road/path plunges to + place
plunge into + valley/sea
plunge below + point
Usage Note
The subject is usually land, a road, or a path. Distinguish from verb/1 FALL: here the shape of the ground goes downward, rather than someone or something suddenly moving.
Common Mistakes
plunge ahead
phrasal verbTo continue doing something with energy and determination, even if it is difficult.
Despite the rain, the hikers plunged ahead through the muddy trail.
The company decided to plunge ahead with the new project.
plunge in
phrasal verbTo start doing something with enthusiasm and without hesitation.
Maya took a deep breath and plunged in, answering the first question.
When the pool opened, the children plunged in immediately.
plunge into
phrasal verbTo suddenly start doing something with great energy, or to enter a state or situation.
After college, Diego plunged into a career in journalism.
The country plunged into a deep economic crisis last year.
plunge — noun
- plungesingular
- plungesplural
1. a sharp, rapid fall in level, amount, or value
a sharp, rapid fall in level, amount, or value
The market plunge wiped out weeks of steady gains.
market plunge
A sudden plunge in hotel bookings worried local shop owners.
plunge in + noun
After lunch, the temperature took a sharp plunge.
The company blamed the plunge in sales on late deliveries.
- market plunge
- plunge in sales
- sharp plunge
- temperature plunge
Grammar Patterns
a plunge in + noun
market plunge
take a sharp plunge
Usage Note
Usually followed by in plus the thing that fell, or used before nouns such as market, prices, and sales. Distinguish from noun/1 MOVEMENT: this sense is about numbers or levels, not physical motion.
Common Mistakes
2. a fast movement into water or to a lower place
a fast movement into water or to a lower place
Divers watched the seal's sudden plunge into the cold bay.
plunge into + water
The cyclist survived his plunge over the wall and onto sand.
With one deep breath, Nora took a plunge into the river.
take a plunge
Witnesses heard the car's plunge from the bridge at night.
- take a plunge
- plunge into the river
- seal's plunge
- car's plunge from a bridge
Grammar Patterns
take a plunge
a plunge into + water/place
the car's plunge from + place
Usage Note
Often used after take when someone jumps into water. It can also describe a vehicle or person falling from a high place.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Plunge suggests a strong, sudden movement downward or into something. Dive is the usual word for going headfirst into water, and it often sounds more intentional or controlled. Drop is broader and less vivid: a stone can drop, but plunge adds force and drama. Tumble suggests losing balance and often rolling or turning while falling. Thrust is different because it is mainly transitive and focuses on pushing an object into a place with force. Use plunge when speed and impact matter: 'The bird plunged into the sea.' Use dive for deliberate entry into water: 'The swimmer dived cleanly.' Use tumble when the movement is uncontrolled: 'The child tumbled down the steps.'