nosedived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nosedived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and steep decline, often in reference to prices, performance, or situations. Example: "After the scandal broke, the company's stock nosedived, causing panic among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As both sides have argued over punishing reforms – the condition of further financial assistance – the Greek economy has nosedived, reversing much of the progress it made last year when it showed the first signs of emerging out of recession.

The Guardian

It inherited an economy that was recovering in May 2010, but confidence nosedived following its spending review in October last year and we've seen little growth since.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The most pathetic sight was of the tank trying to climb up a dirt ramp built at the site, getting stuck, and then sliding sideways off the ramp like a drunken sailor," Mr Nawaz writes, implying that America was planning to deliver inferior equipment that was unsuited to the terrain.General Zia's plane nosedived as it was returning to the capital, Islamabad, and exploded on impact.

The Economist

But orders for smaller jets have nosedived, forcing Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft, two American firms dependent on this end of the market, to make drastic cuts.

The Economist

In Europe and America, after a flat August, freight traffic nosedived by 6.8 % and 6 respectively, the biggest declines since 2001.IATA's director-general, Giovanni Bisignani, says the industry's cumulative losses this year are likely to exceed the organisation's earlier forecast of $5.2 billion; airlines in America alone will lose $5 billion.

The Economist

Heavily exposed to subprime mortgages and other assets that have nosedived amid the credit crisis, Lehman, the fourth-largest Wall Street investment bank, has had a torrid few months.

The Economist

"TAIL-RISK" hedging was the talk of Wall Street in 2008 after global markets nosedived and traumatised investors tried to figure out how they could protect themselves from extreme or "black swan" events those well outside an ordinary distribution of outcomes that cause massive losses.

The Economist

On January 12th a lock-up of shares will expire, making it likely that some of the 21 Italian investors which have supported the firm since 2008, will sell their holdings—at a time when the airline badly needs help.When Alitalia nosedived into administration five years ago, it was kept airborne by the Progetto Fenice ("phoenix project").

The Economist

Prices for vanilla, once the traditional export, have nosedived.

The Economist

Its share price has nosedived, and it is looking at shedding flights, including those from a number of coastal Chinese cities.

The Economist

Fiji plays world-class rugby and has excellent players abroad.After the 1987 coup, when Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka seized power from a predominantly Indo-Fijian regime, the economy nosedived.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nosedived" when you want to emphasize a sudden and steep decline, particularly in contexts like stock prices, economic indicators, or airplane movements. It vividly conveys a sense of rapid descent.

Common error

While "nosedived" is effective, avoid using it excessively in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more neutral terms like "declined sharply" or "decreased significantly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nosedived" is as a verb in the past tense. It describes an action that occurred in the past, typically involving a rapid and significant decline. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts, such as describing economic downturns or a drop in stock prices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nosedived" is a grammatically correct verb, predominantly used in the past tense to describe a sudden and steep decline. It's "very common", especially in news and media contexts, to create a sense of urgency or drama. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's best to use it judiciously in highly formal settings. Alternatives include "plummeted", "tumbled", and "declined sharply". Be mindful of overuse, opting for more neutral terms in strictly academic or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plummeted

Indicates a steep and rapid fall, similar to "nosedived" but potentially more dramatic.

tumbled

Suggests a sudden and uncontrolled fall, less specific to direction than "nosedived".

collapsed

Implies a complete and sudden failure or breakdown.

declined sharply

A more formal and less figurative way of expressing a significant decrease.

dropped significantly

Similar to "declined sharply", but slightly less formal.

slumped

Suggests a sudden and marked decline, often in economic terms.

tanked

An informal term for a rapid and substantial drop, often used in business or finance.

crashed

Implies a sudden and catastrophic failure or decline.

spiraled downward

Indicates a continuous and worsening decline, often out of control.

eroded

Suggests a gradual but steady decline, often in value or strength.

FAQs

How can I use "nosedived" in a sentence?

You can use "nosedived" to describe a rapid and significant decline. For example, "After the announcement, the company's stock price "plummeted"" or "The economy "declined sharply" during the recession".

What's a good alternative to "nosedived"?

Alternatives to "nosedived" include "plummeted", "tumbled", "declined sharply", or "dropped significantly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "The stock nosedived" or "The stock price nosedived"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "The stock price "nosedived"" is more specific and provides clarity. However, in many contexts, it's understood that "stock" refers to "stock price", making the shorter version acceptable.

What does it mean when someone says something "nosedived"?

When something ""nosedived"", it means it experienced a sudden and severe decline or drop, often in value, performance, or popularity. It implies a rapid downward movement.