/ plʌndʒ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to move or make sb/sth move suddenly forwards and/or downwards :
[ v ]
She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death.
[ vn ]
The earthquake plunged entire towns over the edge of the cliffs.
2.
[ v ] ( of prices, temperatures, etc. ) to decrease suddenly and quickly
SYN plummet :
Stock markets plunged at the news of the coup.
3.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( of a road, surface, etc. ) to slope down steeply :
The track plunged down into the valley.
4.
[ v ] to move up and down suddenly and violently :
The horse plunged and reared.
( figurative )
His heart plunged (= because of a strong emotion) .
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PHRASAL VERBS
- plunge in | plunge into sth
- plunge sth in | plunge sth into sth
- plunge into sth
- plunge sb/sth into sth
■ noun [ usually sing. ]
1.
a sudden movement downwards or away from sth
SYN drop :
The calm water ends there and the river begins a headlong plunge.
2.
plunge (in sth) a sudden decrease in an amount or the value of sth
SYN drop :
a dramatic plunge in profits
3.
plunge into sth the act of becoming involved in a situation or activity :
The company is planning a deeper plunge into the commercial market.
4.
an act of jumping or diving into water; a quick swim :
He took the plunge into the deep end.
She went for a plunge.
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IDIOMS
- take the plunge
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French plungier thrust down, based on Latin plumbum lead, plummet.