26984 words

plunge

11 definitions • 24 examples
1
to (cause someone or something to) move or fall suddenly and often a long way forward, down, or into something:

Examples:

We ran down to the beach and plunged into the sea.
The car went out of control and plunged over the cliff.
Cook the peas by plunging them into boiling water.
2
to become lower in value or level very suddenly and quickly:

Examples:

The fall in demand caused share prices to plunge.
3
a sudden movement or fall forward, down, or into something:

Examples:

I really enjoyed my plunge (= jumping in and swimming) in the pool.
4
a sudden and large fall in value or level:

Examples:

We are expecting a plunge in profits this year.
5
to move or fall suddenly forward, down, or into something:

Examples:

[ I ] Her car plunged off the cliff.
[ I ] He plunged into the crowd, smiling and shaking hands.
[ T always + adv/prep ] She suddenly plunged the knife into the cake.
6

Examples:

[ I ] Rumors on Wall Street have caused stock prices to plunge.
7
If a person or group plunges into an activity, or a place plunges into a condition, it suddenly experiences it:

Examples:

[ I always + adv/prep ] The economy was in danger of plunging into a depression.
[ T always + adv/prep ] The storm cut power lines, plunging the town into darkness.
8
a sudden fall forward, down, or into something:

Examples:

A tree broke his plunge downhill.
The rapid plunge of the stock market caused panic among investors.
9
to go down in amount or value very quickly and suddenly:

Examples:

markets/sales plunge Car sales plunged in France in June.
plunge to sth Share prices plunged $16.74, or 44%, to $20.51 a share.
plunge by sth The Dow was 40 points ahead, having plunged by 60 points shortly after the opening bell.
plunge from sth Visitor numbers plunged from 25million in 2010 to 22.8million - but they are now recovering.
10

Examples:

We are expecting a plunge in profits this year.
Profits are being affected by the plunge in the dollar against the euro.
a plunge in prices/sales The plunge in oil prices has driven fuel bills 12% lower.
11
to make a decision to do something, especially after thinking about it for a long time:

Examples:

Consumers who want to buy a home ought to take the plunge, rather than waiting for even lower mortgage rates.

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