Quick answer: “Take the plunge” means to finally decide to do something risky or important.
Take the plunge means to finally decide to do something important, risky, or difficult after thinking about it or hesitating for a while.
Origin & History
The image is of hesitating at the edge of water before diving in; ‘taking the plunge’ means committing to jump rather than staying safely on the edge.
The idiom is common when talking about major life decisions such as marriage, buying property, or changing careers.
Idioms like this are the kind of expression documented in general reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which record how figurative meanings develop in everyday English.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| After years of renting, they finally took the plunge and bought a house. | Property, life decisions |
| He took the plunge and quit his job to start a business. | Career |
| We're thinking about taking the plunge and moving abroad. | Life decisions |
| She took the plunge and asked for a promotion. | Career, confidence |
| Many couples take the plunge and get married in summer. | Relationships |
How to Use It
The idiom is usually followed by ‘and’ plus another verb describing the decision: ‘take the plunge and buy a house’, ‘take the plunge and apply’.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
take a plunge.
take the plunge. — The fixed article is ‘the’, not ‘a’.
take the plunges.
take the plunge. — The noun ‘plunge’ is always singular in this idiom.
took the plunges into.
took the plunge and. — Use ‘and’ plus a verb, rather than ‘into’, to describe the decision.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: Take the plunge
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Take the plunge” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “After years of renting, they finally _____ and bought a house.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "take the plunge" mean?
To finally decide to do something important, risky, or difficult after thinking about it or hesitating for a while.
Where does "take the plunge" come from?
The image is of hesitating at the edge of water before diving in; ‘taking the plunge’ means committing to jump rather than staying safely on the edge.
Can you give an example of "take the plunge" in a sentence?
"After years of renting, they finally took the plunge and bought a house." Another: "He took the plunge and quit his job to start a business."
Is "take the plunge" formal or informal?
It is informal to neutral, and common in everyday spoken and written English.
What CEFR level is "take the plunge"?
B2. It suits learners who are comfortable with figurative, idiomatic language at this level.
What are common mistakes with "take the plunge"?
A common mistake is saying “take a plunge” instead of “take the plunge”. The fixed article is ‘the’, not ‘a’.
What idioms are similar to "take the plunge"?
Related expressions include Bite the bullet, Throw caution to the wind.
Can "take the plunge" be used in writing?
Yes, it appears in blogs, informal articles, and everyday written messages, though very formal writing may prefer a more direct wording.
How do I practise idioms like "take the plunge"?
Use LexFizz Flash Cards and Flip Tiles, and try using "take the plunge" in a sentence of your own to connect the idiom to a real situation.
Does “take the plunge” always mean something good will happen?
Not necessarily — it describes the decision to act despite risk or uncertainty, not a guaranteed positive outcome.