plunge off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plunge off" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct in standard contexts.
It could be used in informal contexts to describe someone or something diving or falling off a surface, but it is not a widely recognized expression. Example: "He decided to plunge off the diving board into the pool below."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Duly instructed I plunge off the baby wall, which feels high to me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With the American shuttle fleet temporarily grounded and the Russians unsure what caused their Soyuz capsule to plunge off course, the way into space looks increasingly uncertain.

The New York Times

A stretch of the G6 in Beijing is known as the "Valley of Death" because of a tendency among vehicles speeding downhill towards the city to plunge off the sides of the elevated sections.

The Economist

Though tiny, St. Nicholas was well known by the 1930's for the ceremony of the Epiphany in January, when young divers would plunge off the Battery to retrieve a wooden crucifix that a priest had flung into the water.

The New York Times

The Tour closed with one of the nastiest and demanding descents in the Alps off the Col de Joux Plane; more dramatic by far was Froome's attack on the wide, mainly straight plunge off the Peyresourde to Bagnères de Luchon, so benign that even a first-timer on a square-wheeled bike could gain some speed.

The Guardian - Sport

The count has an inexplicable knowledge of the other characters' dead relatives, and as he enjoys his relaxing weekend in the country strange news stories filter in from across the land, stories about people who plunge off bridges or tall buildings yet don't die.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Instead, they kept plunging off course.

Independent

A young driver has been airlifted to hospital after his car plunged off cliffs at Beachy Head.

Independent

While Hathaway is fishing with a reporter, a car plunges off an adjacent bridge.

The New York Times

He plunged off to shake hands with everybody he knew, moving around the room in a slow, counterclockwise semicircle.

The New Yorker

Simon Duggan's camera bombs over the waters of Long Island or plunges off skyscrapers, like King Kong taking his final dive.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a deliberate act of jumping into water, consider using "dive off" or "jump off" as more common and clearer alternatives to "plunge off".

Common error

Avoid using "plunge off" in formal or academic writing where more precise and widely accepted alternatives like "descend rapidly" or "fall from" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "plunge off" is as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of sudden and forceful descent or deviation. Ludwig AI suggests it is not commonly used in written English and could be improved by using "dive off" or "jump off".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "plunge off" describes a sudden descent or deviation, frequently used in News & Media contexts. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests it's not the most common choice, alternatives like "dive off" or "jump off" might be clearer in certain scenarios. It carries a neutral register, fitting for descriptive writing but perhaps less suitable for formal academic contexts. The provided examples underscore its use in vividly portraying unexpected falls or sharp declines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dive off

This alternative is more specific to intentionally jumping into water.

jump off

This alternative is a more general term for leaping from a height.

fall off

This suggests an unintentional descent or loss of balance.

tumble off

This implies a less controlled and more haphazard descent.

plummet from

This intensifies the sense of a rapid and uncontrolled fall.

drop off

This suggests a quick and sudden fall, often from a vehicle.

veer off

This implies a change in direction leading away from the intended path.

careen off

This suggests an uncontrolled swerving motion before falling.

stray from

This implies deviating from a path or plan, not necessarily a physical fall.

deviate from

This denotes a departure from an established course or standard.

FAQs

What does "plunge off" mean?

"Plunge off" generally means to fall or dive abruptly from a height or to deviate sharply from a course. It often implies a sudden and uncontrolled movement.

How can I use "plunge off" in a sentence?

You might say, "The car "plunged off" the cliff," or "The economy "plunged off" course after the financial crisis."

What are some alternatives to "plunge off"?

Depending on the context, you could use "dive off", "jump off", "fall off", or "veer off".

Is "plunge off" formal or informal?

"Plunge off" is generally considered less formal and might be better suited for journalistic or descriptive writing rather than academic or professional contexts.