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

The temporary spaces have been successful enough for the Australian women’s brand to take the plunge and open its first permanent store. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025

That’s number two to take the plunge for the outlandish 2019 theft of a golden toilet that was being displayed in Winston Churchill's birthplace. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Reality check: Many who take the plunge get help from mom and dad. —Shawna Chen, Axios, 18 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, don’t let this amazing TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 Router deal slip by; take the plunge and upgrade your home network today! —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 2 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take the plunge

• expunge
• lunge
• sponge
• muskellunge