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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | plongier, from Vulgar Latin plumbicare, from Latin plumbum 'lead' |
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plunge1
1 [intransitive,transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move, fall, or be thrown suddenly forwards or downwards
2 [intransitive] if a price, rate etc plunges, it suddenly decreases by a large amount : 
The unemployment rate plunged sharply.In the recession, the company's profits plunged 60%.
The unemployment rate plunged sharply.In the recession, the company's profits plunged 60%.3 [intransitive] literary if a ship plunges, it moves violently up and down because of big waves
plunge in
phrasal verb1 to start talking or doing something quickly and confidently, especially without thinking about it first : It's a difficult situation. You can't just plunge in and put everything right. 'I don't agree,' she said, plunging into the conversation.
It's a difficult situation. You can't just plunge in and put everything right.'I don't agree,' she said, plunging into the conversation.2 to jump or dive into water : He stripped off and plunged into the sea.
He stripped off and plunged into the sea.3 to push something firmly and deeply into something else : He open the bag and plunged his hand in. Plunge the pasta into boiling water.
plunge something ↔ in
also plunge something into somethingHe open the bag and plunged his hand in.Plunge the pasta into boiling water.plunge (somebody/something) into something
phrasal verbA strike would plunge the country into chaos.After the war, the family plunged into debt.