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

If this bold shade of red has always felt like a gamble, let the spirit of autumn finally convince you to take the plunge. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025

Nicole and Felicia Chang have finally taken the plunge down the runway. —Ari Stark, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025

Faced with the decision of finding another rental or taking the plunge into ownership, her broader life circumstances led her to the latter. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025

Bolton took the plunge and signed him for a club-record outlay of £8million. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take the plunge

• expunge
• lunge
• sponge
• muskellunge