taking the plunge
Meaning
To commit to a significant decision or action, often one that involves risk or a major change.
Origin
The image behind "taking the plunge" is a vivid one: a sudden, irreversible dive into deep, often cold, water. It perfectly captures the feeling of a momentous, potentially intimidating step, where there's no turning back once you've made the leap. While the verb "plunge" has been used for centuries to describe sudden descents, the idiomatic phrase "taking the plunge" gained widespread popularity in the 19th century. It became a particularly favored euphemism for marriage, capturing the era's perception of matrimony as a grand, life-altering commitment—a bold leap into the unknown, much like a daring dive into an abyss, forever changing one's course. This dramatic imagery extended beyond weddings to any significant, often risky, life decision.
Examples
- After years of dreaming about it, she finally took the plunge and started her own business.
- They were hesitant to move to a new country, but they decided it was time to take the plunge.