take the plunge
Meaning(s)
1. commit to a challenging course of action
Popularity
Low
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
decide to take the plunge
Analysis
To ‘take the plunge’ is to take a risk or to agree to or commit to something challenging or difficult, particularly if it is something you are nervous about or have thought about for a long time. This is an informal expression used more often in social contexts but you can find it used in professional situations too.
Social Examples (Advance)
- I had been debating about whether to go backpacking in Asia for months. Finally, I decided to take the plunge and book my tickets. I hope I haven't made a mistake!
- My girlfriend and I had been living together for years, so we decided that it was about time we took the plunge and got married.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- I decided to take the plunge, give up work and start my own business. So far, it has paid off!
- I think we should take the plunge and invest in more market research to define our target market.