dive off

USAGE SUMMARY

"dive off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to the act of jumping or plunging into water. You can use it whenever you want to describe someone or something diving into water. Example: She decided to dive off the high diving board to show off her skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you dive off of a diving board you may want to mark the spot where your feet should go to help you practice.

WikiHow

Spear fishermen dive off boats below.

The Guardian

That's a real dive off a high cliff.

The New York Times

In platform, they dive off the same platform.

The New York Times - Sports

In the springboard, they dive off different boards.

The New York Times - Sports

In springboard, they dive off side-by-side boards.

The New York Times - Sports

Bo Lusher, our guide on this dive off Maui's west shore, knew what to do.

The New York Times - Travel

At my dad's house, you could almost dive off the balcony into the water.

The Guardian - Travel

They flip upside down, spin around poles, dive off platforms and vault over bars.

The Guardian - Arts

He loved to fish, he said, and dive off high rocks.

The New York Times

SLIDE SHOWS Dive off lava cliffs and zip line over bamboo forests in Maui.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dive off" to describe a deliberate jump into water or a sudden, often risky, departure from a physical or metaphorical position. Ensure the context clearly indicates the starting point and the intended trajectory.

Common error

Avoid using "dive off" in purely abstract or figurative contexts where the sense of physical movement is absent. For instance, instead of saying "The project dived off a cliff", consider using "The project took a nosedive" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "dive off" functions primarily as a verb of motion, indicating a specific type of jump or plunge, typically into water. It denotes a deliberate action of launching oneself from a surface, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dive off" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that primarily describes the action of jumping or plunging into water, or less frequently, a sudden departure from a situation. According to Ludwig, it's widely found in news and media, as well as wiki sources, indicating its broad applicability and understandability. The related phrases such as ""jump off"" and ""plunge off"" can serve as alternatives, depending on the context. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity in both physical and metaphorical contexts to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jump off

Focuses on the act of leaping or jumping from a surface.

plunge off

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful descent.

leap from

Highlights the action of jumping away from something.

spring from

Suggests a more energetic and upward motion before the descent.

tumble off

Implies a less controlled or accidental descent.

fall from

Describes an unintentional drop from a height.

descend from

Indicates a more gradual downward movement.

step off

Suggests a deliberate and controlled movement down.

bail out

Indicates a quick exit from a situation.

take a header

Implies an uncontrolled fall headfirst.

FAQs

How is "dive off" used in a sentence?

The phrase "dive off" typically describes the action of jumping or plunging into water, as in "He decided to "jump off" the diving board" or "They watched her "plunge off" the cliff into the sea".

What can I say instead of "dive off"?

You can use alternatives like ""jump off"", ""plunge off"", or "leap from" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "dive off" versus "jump off"?

"Dive off" specifically implies a headfirst or forward plunge into water, while ""jump off"" is a more general term for leaping from a surface. Choose "dive off" when the action involves entering water in a diving motion.

Is "dive off" only used in reference to physical actions?

While primarily used to describe physical diving, "dive off" can also be used metaphorically to describe a sudden or abrupt departure, though this is less common. In most cases, it refers to someone actually diving into water or similar liquid.