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

Reality check: Many who take the plunge get help from Mom and Dad. Younger generations are increasingly banking on family money for down payments, Redfin research shows. —Yacob Reyes, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025

Will Bobbie and Emmett take the plunge in season two? —Marc Berman, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

And with sales offering up to 60 percent off, now’s the time to take the plunge. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025

Regardless of how the public feels about his hair, however, Patrick has been itching to change it up for quite some time now — but just never took the plunge. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for take the plunge

• expunge
• lunge
• sponge
• muskellunge