take the plunge

idiomatic phrase

informal
: to do or undertake something especially after a period of hesitation or uncertainty
Up to now, I've avoided growing roses … . But last winter the ripe catalogue shots of roses took hold in my imagination, and I decided to take the plunge.Michael Pollan
As with any new OS upgrade, it is prudent to wait awhile before taking the plunge, to make sure others have had a chance to find all the bugs.Peter H. Lewis
If you've considered buying an e-reader but haven't yet taken the plunge, there's no longer a need to wait.Joshua J. Romero

Examples of take the plunge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Kate Hudson took the plunge in a black ensemble while attending the launch of fine jewelry brand Ophelia Eve at Maxwell Social in New York on Oct. 9. Violet Goldstone, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024 As a result, dozens of first-time outdoor ganja gardeners (including me) took the plunge and planted seeds. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2024 However, the talks went nowhere so Disney took the plunge and launched its own cruise line. Caroline Reid, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024 Even with the drop in rates, many homeowners are holding out for even lower rates before deciding to move or take the plunge to buy a home. Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for take the plunge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take the plunge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of take the plunge was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near take the plunge

Cite this Entry

“Take the plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20the%20plunge. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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