plunge

plunge — verb

1. to rush downward or into something, or to make a person or thing do this

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

to rush downward or into something, or to make a person or thing do this

例句

The skier plunged down the icy hill and hit the fence.

plunge down + slope

A black bird plunged into the lake after a silver fish.

plunge into + water

同義詞
  • dive

    is especially common for going headfirst into water and can sound more controlled

  • drop

    is broader and less dramatic, with less force

  • thrust

    focuses on pushing something in with force and is mainly transitive

反義詞
  • rise

    is the basic opposite when movement is upward

  • climb

    suggests upward movement, often with effort

文法句型

plunge into + noun

plunge down/off/forward

plunge + object + into + noun

用法筆記

Often followed by into, down, forward, or off. In transitive use, the object is usually a body part, a tool, or something entering water, darkness, or another space.

常見錯誤

❌The bird plunged to the lake.
✅The bird plunged into the lake.
💡use 'into' when something enters water or another space.
❌Maya plunged in front when the bus stopped.
✅Maya plunged forward when the bus stopped.
💡'forward' is the usual adverb for sudden body movement.

2. to drop very fast to a much lower level, amount, or value

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to drop very fast to a much lower level, amount, or value

例句

Oil prices plunged after the storm closed the main sea route.

prices/plunge

Mina's test score plunged from eighty to fifty in one month.

plunge from X to Y

同義詞
  • fall

    is the broad everyday choice and is less vivid

  • drop

    is common and neutral, often for numbers and levels

  • slump

    often suggests weak demand or poor business conditions

  • tumble

    is informal and stresses a dramatic quick fall

反義詞
  • rise

    is the basic opposite for numbers and levels

  • climb

    suggests a clear upward change, often step by step

文法句型

prices/sales/plunge

plunge by + amount

plunge from + number + to + number

用法筆記

The subject is usually a price, score, number, or level. Distinguish from verb/1 FALL: this sense is about a sharp change in amount, not physical movement through space.

常見錯誤

❌Prices plunged down quickly.
✅Prices plunged quickly.
💡'plunge' already contains the idea of going down.
❌The price plunged of oil yesterday.
✅The price of oil plunged yesterday.
💡the thing that falls must be the subject.

3. to go steeply downward from a higher point

3.動詞不及物
釋義

to go steeply downward from a higher point

例句

The narrow road plunged to the beach between two dark cliffs.

road/path as subject

Behind the house, the garden plunged sharply toward the river.

plunge toward + lower place

同義詞
  • descend

    is a more neutral and often more formal word

  • drop away

    is common in landscape description and highlights a sharp edge

  • slope down

    is plain and descriptive, with less dramatic force

反義詞
  • rise

    is the direct opposite when land goes upward

  • climb

    is often used of roads or paths going uphill

文法句型

road/path plunges to + place

plunge into + valley/sea

plunge below + point

用法筆記

The subject is usually land, a road, or a path. Distinguish from verb/1 FALL: here the shape of the ground goes downward, rather than someone or something suddenly moving.

常見錯誤

❌The road plunged the valley.
✅The road plunged into the valley.
💡use a preposition such as 'into' or 'toward' before the lower place.

plunge — noun