take the plunge

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

Following that, Disney took the plunge and in 1998 launched its own ship, the 85,000-ton, 875-room Disney Magic. — Christian Sylt, Fortune, 16 July 2026

The Touched by an Angel star, 66, took the plunge and decided to get her shortest haircut yet for the summer, and was not shy about sharing the results with her Instagram followers. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

For those who can take the plunge, be wary of rules that were designed for a world where home prices were lower relative to income. — Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

But as the next heatwave rolls in and the city begins to cook again, the verdict could become clearer if many more of them finally decide to take the plunge. — Camille Knight, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take the plunge

• expunge
• lunge
• sponge
• muskellunge