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

Some states, including Maine, have taken the plunge on their own and funneled more money to child care. —Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Nov. 2023

Not ready to take the plunge on a pricey pair of boots just yet? —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023

In some ways, addressing sleep quality may be a lower entry barrier for workers interested in seeking mental health care but still reluctant to take the plunge. —Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023

Clad in a top hat and tails, with a bottle of Champagne in hand, Mr. Kirke, who was nursing a hangover from an all-night party, was the first to take the plunge thatday. —Alex Williams, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023

For those who aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into ice baths or cryotherapy, cold showers can provide a way to ease into the physical advantages of experiencing lower temperatures of water. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 3 Nov. 2023

Buying a home is the least affordable it’s been in decades amid 8% mortgage rates and rising home prices, preventing many prospective homeowners—particularly first-time homebuyers—from taking the plunge. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023

Volkswagen Group has also yet to take the plunge, which means that Audi and Porsche are also staying with CCS1 for now, as well as the soon-to-be-reborn Scout brand. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 20 Oct. 2023

After years of dreaming, the threesome has finally secured a lunch meeting with BPM record label executive Mia (Courtney Taylor) and taken the plunge to move to the energetic coastal city. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above