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

Yardzen design director Kevin Lenhart pitched the program as one more incentive to convince people to take the plunge to nix their lawn. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Before your dog takes the plunge, veterinarians say to consider their swimming ability, health and the safety of the pool area. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Then, in 2023, Puliti took the plunge and bought a place of her own in Giulianova. — Mark Marino, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026

Jessica Alba took the plunge and committed to a pretty serious chop. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take the plunge

• expunge
• lunge
• sponge
• muskellunge