plumb the depths of
idiom
1
literary
: to examine (something) in a careful and complete way in order to understand it
The play plumbs the depths of human nature.
2
: to experience a lot of (something)
someone who has plumbed the depths of loss/pain
Examples of plumb the depths of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Season-three competitor North doubts any TV series could really plumb the depths of the personal experience that is Alone.
—
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 13 June 2024
While her prior albums used her instrument to plumb the depths of the human experience, this one seems happy to sonically skim along closer to the surface, playing with pop structures and her own psychology in equal measure.
—Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024
In this documentary about the affair that led to her birth, Polley incorporates home movie footage — some authentic, some staged — and interviews with different family members to plumb the depths of a woman who remains, even to those who knew her, something of an enigma.
—Eric Farwell and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2024
The reasons to attempt to plumb the depths of your trauma at a resort—rather than in an office or over Zoom—are manifold, therapists said.
—Melinda Fulmer, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024
Ocean engineer Kevin Hardy’s creations plumb the depths of the Mariana Trench
Eliza Strickland
31 Jan 2012
4 min read
Photo: Roxie J. Cirino
With the boat surging over ocean swells, a soaked and smudged Kevin Hardy reaches over the side and yanks a tether, freeing a 3-meter-long submersible.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2012
This fall brought devoted fans a second season aboard the Revenge, and gave creator-executive producer David Jenkins and his writers the chance to plumb the depths of his characters further, and lean into each actor’s strengths.
—Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Once upon a time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to plumb the depths of the ocean and scale the heights of space with Vladimir Putin.
—Megha Mandavia, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2022
BoJack Horseman, the phenomenal final season of which aired on Netflix at the beginning of this year, challenged its audience to plumb the depths of a wrongdoer’s psyche.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 22 Dec. 2020
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Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 13 June 2024
While her prior albums used her instrument to plumb the depths of the human experience, this one seems happy to sonically skim along closer to the surface, playing with pop structures and her own psychology in equal measure.
—Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024
In this documentary about the affair that led to her birth, Polley incorporates home movie footage — some authentic, some staged — and interviews with different family members to plumb the depths of a woman who remains, even to those who knew her, something of an enigma.
—Eric Farwell and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2024
The reasons to attempt to plumb the depths of your trauma at a resort—rather than in an office or over Zoom—are manifold, therapists said.
—Melinda Fulmer, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024
Ocean engineer Kevin Hardy’s creations plumb the depths of the Mariana Trench
Eliza Strickland
31 Jan 2012
4 min read
Photo: Roxie J. Cirino
With the boat surging over ocean swells, a soaked and smudged Kevin Hardy reaches over the side and yanks a tether, freeing a 3-meter-long submersible.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2012
This fall brought devoted fans a second season aboard the Revenge, and gave creator-executive producer David Jenkins and his writers the chance to plumb the depths of his characters further, and lean into each actor’s strengths.
—Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
Once upon a time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to plumb the depths of the ocean and scale the heights of space with Vladimir Putin.
—Megha Mandavia, WSJ, 2 Mar. 2022
BoJack Horseman, the phenomenal final season of which aired on Netflix at the beginning of this year, challenged its audience to plumb the depths of a wrongdoer’s psyche.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 22 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Plumb the depths of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumb%20the%20depths%20of. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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