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Introduction

If you take the plunge, you make an important decision that cannot be easily reversed. Learn more here.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei, and I'm here with Beth.

Beth
Hello Feifei. How are you today?

Feifei
I'm very well, thank you. What expression are we going to learn in this programme?

Beth
Well, we are learning 'take the plunge'. Now, I heard my friend say this and I thought it was interesting because 'plunge' always makes me think about jumping into water and that is definitely not what she meant.

Feifei
That is an interesting phrase, but what was your friend actually talking about? How is she going to take the plunge?

Beth
Well, she has decided to quit her job and she's going to change career completely because she's going to re-train to be a doctor. Now, that is something quite scary. She's going to have to train for a long time and it's something she's been thinking about for a long time as well.

Feifei
Wow. That is a very big change. So, your friend is taking the plunge. She's decided to make an important decision to stop her current job and go back to university. Now, where have you used this expression, Beth?

Beth
Er, let me think. Well, when I was in my twenties. I decided that I wanted to go travelling and I quit my job. So, I then didn't have any money apart from my savings, and it felt like a bit of a scary decision. But, yeah, I went travelling and I took the plunge.

Feifei
You certainly did! Actually, that reminds me of me. I moved to the UK, and that was a big decision. I took the plunge too.

Beth
Definitely! OK, here are some more examples of take the plunge.

Examples
I've always wanted to try karaoke. It looks so much fun, but I'm too scared to get up and sing in front of people. Maybe I just need to take the plunge and do it, see what happens.

I've been living with my boyfriend for a few years now and we decided, you know what - let's take the plunge and get married!

I visited Denmark last year and I really loved it there, so I finally took the plunge and moved there.

Beth
Now, 'take the plunge' is often used with situations that can't be changed. So, for example, when my friend has paid for her doctor training and quit her job, it will not be easy to go back.

Feifei
No, it wouldn't. Now, earlier you said plunge is often used with water, and that can help us remember this phrase. Imagine you're by the sea and going to jump into the water. You might feel a little nervous because the water could be cold. Now, maybe you don't know how deep it is, so it's something that is a bit scary.

Beth
Yes. So, 'take the plunge' means to make a decision about something difficult and maybe challenging.

Feifei
That is the phrase 'take the plunge'. We'll be back next week with another useful English phrase. See you next time.

Beth
Bye!

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