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

Establish a clear vision for your company before taking the plunge. —Parna Sarkar-Basu, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

One side could choose to take the plunge toward battle, raising stakes for countries all around the Mediterranean, including France, Egypt, Israel, and Libya. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024

The couple is currently waiting to find out the cost of shipping their possessions back to San Francisco before taking the plunge. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024

Have the ultimate refreshing experience by taking the plunge with an ice bath in Arosa. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above