a swan dive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a swan dive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific type of dive, often associated with grace and elegance, or metaphorically to indicate a sudden and dramatic fall or decline. Example: "He took a swan dive into the pool, impressing everyone with his perfect form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Springboard to a Swan Dive?

Harvard Business Review

They wanted a swan dive.

The New York Times

The bill took a swan dive on a parliamentary motion.

The New York Times

Some have referred to Ballard's aerial twist as a swan dive.

The New York Times

Finally she says: "There would be a picture of a swan dive, definitely.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Leap Into the Void" appears to capture a man doing a swan dive from a building.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Entirely created in Processing, this one is a swan-dive into a sprawling visual soundscape, materialized without the use of video camera technology.

Vice

This is essential, as nobody can perfectly execute a swan-dive first-time.

WikiHow

The model was Mr. Hintnaus, who took a big swan dive into a pool as the finale of the River Oaks International Tennis Tournament and Tootsies fashion show.

The New York Times

The video is a shrewd update on the famous photograph of the artist Yves Klein apparently performing a suicidal swan dive from a rooftop.

The New York Times - Arts

For anyone who doesn't know what a chinstrap is, it sort of looked like this guy did a nice swan dive and hit his chin in a pile of blonde pubes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a swan dive" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly conveys the intended meaning of a sudden and dramatic fall or decline, rather than the literal diving action.

Common error

Avoid using "a swan dive" in contexts where a positive or graceful connotation is desired if the situation involves failure or disaster. Consider alternatives that better reflect the intended tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a swan dive" is as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb, describing an action either literally (diving) or metaphorically (experiencing a decline). Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a swan dive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It primarily functions to describe either a literal diving action characterized by grace, or, more commonly, a sudden and dramatic fall or decline in a metaphorical sense. While generally neutral in tone, it leans toward informality due to its prevalence in news and media sources. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "rapid decrease" may be more appropriate. As Ludwig demonstrates, the phrase is versatile, but careful consideration of its connotations is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a graceful plunge

Emphasizes the elegance and smoothness of the dive.

a dramatic fall

Highlights the sudden and impactful nature of a decline or descent.

a headlong plunge

Focuses on the speed and lack of hesitation in the dive or fall.

a nosedive

Implies a steep and rapid descent, often in a negative context.

a sudden drop

Indicates an abrupt decrease or decline.

a plummet

Suggests a rapid and significant fall.

a steep decline

Refers to a sharp decrease in value or quality.

a graceful arc

Focuses on the curved path of the dive, emphasizing its beauty.

a flamboyant leap

Highlights the showy and extravagant nature of the jump.

a belly flop

Describes an awkward or unsuccessful dive.

FAQs

How is "a swan dive" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a swan dive" can describe a literal dive into water or metaphorically represent a sudden, dramatic fall or decline. For example, "She performed "a swan dive" into the pool" or "The company's profits took "a swan dive" after the scandal".

What are some alternatives to using "a swan dive"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "graceful plunge" for literal dives, or "dramatic fall", "sudden decline", or "nosedive" for metaphorical usages.

Is "a swan dive" considered formal or informal language?

"A swan dive" is generally considered neutral to informal. While understandable in most contexts, more formal settings might benefit from a less figurative phrase like "rapid decrease" or "precipitous drop" when referring to a decline.

What does it mean when something "takes a swan dive"?

When something "takes "a swan dive"", it means it experiences a sudden and often dramatic decline or failure. This usage is metaphorical, drawing on the image of a diver plunging downwards. It suggests a rapid and uncontrolled descent.