1 A2 neutral
To jump or fall suddenly into water or a liquid
"The diver plunged into the clear blue water from the high cliff."
inseparable
plunge into
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To enter water or begin an activity suddenly, or to cause someone or something to enter a difficult situation abruptly
In plain English
To jump suddenly into something — water, a topic, or a difficult situation
What does "plunge into" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To start an activity or discussion with great energy and commitment
"He plunged into the research with an enthusiasm his colleagues found exhausting."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic formal
To cause something or someone to suddenly enter a bad or chaotic situation
"The sudden resignation of the prime minister plunged the country into political uncertainty."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To thrust something downward into a substance
Actually means
To jump suddenly into something — water, a topic, or a difficult situation
Usage tip
Versatile and vivid. Used for physical entry into water, enthusiastic engagement in activities, and also for crises (a country plunged into chaos). The transitive use ('the blackout plunged the city into darkness') is common in journalism.
Words that pair with "plunge into"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
darkness chaos debt despair work conversation water crisis
How to conjugate "plunge into"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plunge into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
plunges into
he/she/it
Past simple
plunged into
yesterday
Past participle
plunged into
have + pp
-ing form
plunging into
continuous
Hear "plunge into" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "plunge into" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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